Vice President Harris, who is of Indian and African heritage, on Thursday night accepted her party's nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, becoming the second woman to do so for the Democratic Party

The 59-year-old leader walked on stage to thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the audience. Chants of "Yes You Can!" erupted before her remarks

Taking the stage at the United Center in Chicago to accept her nomination, Harris said she is no stranger to unlikely journeys

"On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender or the language your grandmother speaks, on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey on behalf of Americans, like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams and look out for one another, on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on earth, I accept your nomination the United States," she said

She remembered her mother Shyamala Gopalan and said that she misses her every day, especially when she is on the verge of breaking the highest glass ceiling of the United States

She said the November 5 election is the most important in America's history

"Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans," she said in her 40-minute speech

Vice President Harris outlined her plans for a "new way forward" if she's elected to be the 47th president of the United States

She laid out the consequences of electing former President Donald Trump to a second term