FRANKLIN, Va. -- People are celebrating in style as Kamala Harris was sworn in as the nation’s first female vice president Wednesday.
“I got my pearls and Chucks shirt and my mask,” said LaToshia Evans.
Converse shoes - also known as Chuck Taylors - and pearls are common accessories we’ve seen Vice President-elect Kamala Harris wear on the campaign trail. "Chucks and Pearls" is now a trending hashtag and a private Facebook group with almost 80,000 members.
That is also what supporters wore as they watched Harris take the oath as the first South Asian and Black vice president of the United Statesof America.
“It gives our young girls hope that they will be able to do the same,” said Tasha Ricks.
Ricks came into Elegant Expressions in Franklin with her granddaughter to get their gear.
“It’s great to have access to things like this in our Town of Franklin,” she adds.
The boutique on South Street is a new extension of an events company that opened in November 2019 right before the start of the pandemic, but they haven’t been in business due to social gathering limits.
“We began doing the t-shirt printing just to help us stay afloat and keep our doors open,” said owner Alisha House.
The demand for Chucks and Pearls is helping do just that. House says the calls for gear are non-stop.
These customers say they’re glad they found a place in the community to help them get ready for an historic day.
Ricks says, “We are going to have on our Chucks and pearls, watch the inauguration, the speeches and be inspired.”
An inspiring moment for young girls like 7-year-old Amiyah.
“If she can do it, we can do it,” she says.
