Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina, has made history again by becoming the first prominent woman of color to seek the presidency in 2024. Born Nimarata Nikki Randhawa, Haley was raised in the Sikh faith. She later converted to Christianity before her wedding to Michael Haley at age 26. Haley’s announcement video highlighted her heritage and her optimistic vision of a society unencumbered by racial division. “I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants,” Haley said in her video, adding: “My mom would always say, ‘Your job is not to focus on the differences but the similarities.'”
Early Life and Career
Nikki Haley was born on January 20, 1972, in Bamberg, South Carolina, to Sikh parents Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa, who had emigrated from Punjab to Canada and then to the US in the 1960s. She was raised as a Sikh but later converted to Christianity. Haley attended Clemson University, where she earned a degree in accounting. After college, she worked for her mother’s upscale clothing business, Exotica International, before joining her family’s business, a clothing company called Niva International.In 2004, Haley was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where she served until 2010. In 2010, she was elected governor of South Carolina, becoming the first woman and the first person of color to hold the office. She was reelected in 2014 and served until 2017, when she resigned to become the US ambassador to the United Nations under President Donald Trump.
US Ambassador to the United Nations
As US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley was known for her strong stance on human rights and her criticism of Russia and China. She also played a key role in the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, which she called a “cesspool of political bias.” Haley was also a vocal critic of the UN’s treatment of Israel, and she led the US effort to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Presidential Campaign
Haley’s presidential campaign has focused on her heritage and her optimistic vision of a society unencumbered by racial division. “I was the proud daughter of Indian immigrants,” Haley said in her announcement video, adding: “My mom would always say, ‘Your job is not to focus on the differences but the similarities.'” Haley has also emphasized her experience as governor of South Carolina and as US ambassador to the United Nations.Haley’s campaign has faced some criticism from members of the South Asian community, who feel that she has not done enough to address issues affecting the community. Some members of the Sikh community, in particular, have expressed ambivalence about Haley’s success, given the community’s history of bigotry in the post-9/11 US.
Conclusion
Nikki Haley, a ‘proud daughter of Indian immigrants,’ has made history again by becoming the first prominent woman of color to seek the presidency in 2024. Haley’s campaign has focused on her heritage and her optimistic vision of a society unencumbered by racial division. Haley has also emphasized her experience as governor of South Carolina and as US ambassador to the United Nations. While Haley’s campaign has faced some criticism from members of the South Asian community, her historic candidacy is a testament to the growing diversity of American politics.
