Barbara Lee dons Shirley Chisholm’s pearls for Inauguration Day: ‘Because of Shirley Chisholm, Vice President Harris is’

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) wore pearls that once belonged to the late politician Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress, to the historic inauguration of Vice President Harris and President Biden on Wednesday.

Lee tweeted a photograph of herself sporting the pearls, saying she was given the pearls by Chisholm’s goddaughter. 

On this historic day, I’m wearing Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s pearls, given to me by her goddaughter, who said that her godmother “would not want it any other way.”

Because of Shirley Chisholm, I am.

Because of Shirley Chisholm, Vice President Harris is. pic.twitter.com/rgQKw2Y8Qb

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 20, 2021

Lee discussed the fashion choice in a brief phone interview with MSNBC’s Joy Reid early Wednesday while attending the inauguration in the stands. 

“I am wearing Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s pearls,” Lee said.

“And really, because of Shirley Chisholm, I am. Because of Shirley Chisholm, Kamala is. And I am just feeling Shirley Chisholm’s happiness, her spirit,” she said.

“I am wearing Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s pearls … I am feeling Shirley Chisholm’s happiness and spirit. This is long overdue, but about 50 years after she was elected and ran for the presidency this time has finally come.”@RepBarbaraLee to @JoyAnnReid. pic.twitter.com/Cs87lZysE2

— The ReidOut (@thereidout) January 20, 2021

On Wednesday, Harris became the first woman, Black American and South Asian American to be sworn in as the nation’s vice president. She was sworn by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the high court.

The historic moment comes almost five decades after Chisholm launched her “Unbought and Unbossed” campaign for president, becoming the first Black American to seek the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

“This is long overdue,” Lee said in the interview on Wednesday, “about 50 years after she was elected and ran for the presidency.”

“This time has finally come. She paved the way for all of us,” she added.

The California congresswoman also shared a congratulatory message to Harris and President Joe Biden on Twitter while wearing the pearls earlier in the day.

Congratulations to @PresElectBiden and @KamalaHarris on this historic day!

The East Bay is in the White House today! pic.twitter.com/fWN8r3Ol0a

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) January 20, 2021

The vice president also joined Lee in wearing a string of pearls to her inauguration on Wednesday.

Harris is often seen wearing pearls, which many see as a gesture to her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest African American Greek-lettered sorority in the country.