Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday with a sweeping, pointed speech in which she vowed to prosecute the case against Donald Trump and carry the country to a brighter and fairer future.

In an address that balanced optimism with scathing criticism of her opponent, Harris acknowledged her “unlikely” path to the nomination and extended her hand to voters of all political ideologies who believe in America’s promise.

Harris would make history if elected – as the first woman, first Black woman, and first Asian American woman to serve as president – but she instead focused on the history that the country could change in November.

“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,” Harris told thousands of Democrats in Chicago.

Harris presented herself as a “realistic” and “practical” leader who would lean on her background as a prosecutor to govern based on common sense and equality. She credited her sense of justice to her mother, Shyamala Harris, a scientist who emigrated to the US from India when she was 19.

“She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in the fight for women’s health, and she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle [Obama] mentioned the other night,” Harris said. “She taught us to never complain about injustice, but do something about it.”

In an election that has often been characterized as personality versus policy, Harris attempted to intertwine the two. After discussing her record as a prosecutor fighting for “women and children against predators who abused them,” she turned her attention to the women whose lives have been jeopardized due to a lack of abortion access.

She shared stories of pregnant women getting sepsis and miscarrying in parking lots, and placed the blame for their pain squarely on Trump’s shoulders, as he nominated three of the justices who ruled to overturn Roe v Wade.

“This is what’s happening in our country because of Donald Trump,” Harris said. “And understand he is not done as a part of his agenda. He and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion, and enact a nationwide abortion ban, with or without Congress… Simply put, they are out of their minds.”

Harris also highlighted her commitment to a Gaza ceasefire and her support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. She emphasized the need for a two-state solution and the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In addition, Harris spoke about her plans to address the climate crisis, invest in renewable energy, and create jobs in the clean energy sector. She also emphasized the need to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, and to address the high cost of prescription drugs.

Throughout her speech, Harris emphasized the need for unity and the importance of putting aside partisan differences to address the country’s challenges. She urged Americans to choose “freedom and fairness” over Trump’s extremism and to work together to build a better future for all.

Harris accepted the nomination with a speech that was applauded by thousands of Democrats in Chicago. Her speech was seen as a crucial moment in her campaign, as she seeks to consolidate Democratic support and win the presidency in November.

The speech came just one month after Harris launched her campaign, following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. With the president’s endorsement, Harris was able to quickly consolidate Democrats’ support and secure the nomination.

Harris has enjoyed a wave of enthusiasm since entering the race, with most polls now showing her pulling slightly ahead of Trump in the key battleground states that will determine the outcome of the election.

As she accepted the nomination, Harris was surrounded by her family, including her husband, Doug Emhoff, and her stepchildren, Cole and Ella. She was also joined by prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The convention also featured speeches from other prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Overall, Harris’s speech was seen as a powerful call to action, urging Americans to come together to address the country’s challenges and to choose a better future. As she prepares to face Trump in the general election, Harris is poised to make history and to lead the country in a new direction.