Erie Native Reflects on History Making Moment

 In front of thousands of people, Erie native Karen Kalivoda introduced sitting Vice President Kamala Harris for Harris' rally at the Erie Insurance Arena. Kalivoda said that being offered that opportunity felt unreal. 

“I got a phone call, and they said ‘Would you be willing to introduce the Vice President?’ I almost fell out of the car. I said ‘I would be honored’,” Kalivoda said.  

Kalivoda said though the crowd was big, she was more nervous about making her way across the catwalk.

"When I went up there and they opened the curtain, I went ‘Whoa’.  I wasn't nervous about the speech. I have a fake hip that had two surgeries and a fake knee. I was more nervous about the catwalk because there were steps and it was about 75 feet to that podium. I knew that if I could make it to the podium, I would be okay,” Kalivoda said. 

Kalivoda has a background in social services helping senior citizens. Kalivoda supports many of Harris' policies and stances because of her career and the way her beliefs align with Harris' 

“What she believes in: the middle class, strengthening the middle class, women’s rights, tax breaks for the middle class, $6,000 for newborn children, and the Affordable Care Act -- strengthening that. Because of my career with Medicaid, I know there’s such a need for the Affordable Care Act. So, I am a strong supporter. It didn’t take much to become enthused to give that speech,” Kalivoda said.