The Emory Lens recently featured pre-licensure nursing student, Krysten Nedd, in a video testimonial sharing what Kamala Harris being elected as U.S. Vice President means to her as a woman of color and member of the same sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Delivering an exceptional tribute, Nedd explained how Vice President Harris’ inauguration was, “A day that I never thought I would personally see in a lifetime.”

Making history as the first female, Black, and South Asian American VP-elect, Vice President Harris has become a symbol of representation for many. Nedd emphasized the importance of Vice President Harris’ position by expressing how she has been “paving the way for women, especially African American women,” and continues to explain how proud she is for “this moment that people have dreamt about for so long.”

“I have the pleasure of calling Kamala Harris a sister, and that’s truly beautiful to me,” says Nedd.

Nedd is an active member of the Community Academic Partnership for Primary Care Nursing Transformation (CAPACITY), which is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Emory School of Nursing’s CAPACITY program aims to help increase the number of nurses working in community-based primary care settings, specifically among medically underserved populations.

While serving as an educator through CAPACITY’s professional development program, Nedd also leads as president of the Nu Alpha chapter at Emory University of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She is currently a junior scheduled to finish her undergraduate degree as a nursing major in 2022. Serving as an Emory nursing leader, Nedd is also involved with the Association of Caribbean Educators and Students and the National Panhellenic Council.

Nedd’s testimonial draws on more than Vice President Harris’ inauguration. Her words reflect a deep appreciation that many people share for this significant historical milestone. When Nedd woke up the morning of Vice President Harris’ swearing in, she was honored to have Kamala Harris as a sorority sister. “She has not only inspired the leaders of Alpha Kappa Alpha but led the organization to be a platform for cultivating strong women.” To view Krysten Nedd’s video testimonial, visit: www.vimeo.com.