Meet Stacey Abrams, the first black woman in US history to be nominated for governor, who's vying to be Biden's VP

• In 2018, Stacey Abrams ran for governor in Georgia, becoming the first black woman in the US to win a gubernatorial nomination for either political party.
• Though she lost the race, the 46-year-old has since gained political popularity with an ambitious career that includes targeting voter suppression, championing middle and lower class families, and empowering young black women.
• In recent months, Abrams has been advocating for herself as a potential vice president to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

Stacey Abrams has gained traction this year with her unabashed campaign to become Joe Biden's running mate in the 2020 presidential election.

Abrams became a household name in 2018 as the first black woman to win a gubernatorial nomination for either political party. Her closely fought race against former Secretary of State Brian Kemp received national attention after reports of voter suppression circulated throughout the state.

Though Abrams saw her loss as a devastating blow, she's carried out her political career with a focus on equality, fair elections, and championing a progressive platform.

The 46-year-old politician served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007-17, and was minority leader for the last seven of those years. She also made a side-career as an author, writing at least eight suspenseful romance novels, and producing her own television series.

These photos show how Abrams rose in the ranks from a student activist in Atlanta, to a possible vice presidential candidate in the 2020 race.

Stacey Abrams was born on December 9, 1973, to parents Robert and Carolyn Abrams. She grew up partially in Gulfport, Mississippi, but when she was 15 years old, her family moved to Atlanta so her parents could pursue careers as Methodist ministers.

Stacey Abrams      Benjamin Lowy/Getty Images

Source: Washington Post, Oprah Magazine

Abrams is the second-oldest of six children, and her family often struggled to make ends meet. In an interview with the Washington Post, Abrams recalled one instance when her parents had to use the dining room as a makeshift bedroom to provide enough space in the house for two of her brothers.

Stacey Abrams embraces her family as she walks off the stage after speaking to the crowd of supporters in 2018.      Lawrence Bryant/REUTERS

Source: Washington Post, Stacey Abrams Campaign

According to her website, Abrams has built her life around three principles that her parents taught her: "go to school, go to church, and take care of each other."

Stacey Abrams speaks at Bustle's 2019 Rule Breakers Festival at LeFrak Center at Lakeside on September 21, 2019 in Brooklyn, New York.      Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Bustle

Source: Stacey Abrams Campaign

As a young Girl Scout, Abrams was picked to represent the state of Mississippi at a conference in Arizona. But troop leaders were unhappy that a black girl was nominated, so they tried to change her flight and leave her behind. Abrams caught on to the bigotry, and flew to Arizona anyway.

Stacey Abrams, former Georgia House Democratic Leader, speaks to attendees at the National Press Club Headliners Luncheon in Washington, D.C      Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Source: Oprah Magazine

She excelled in academics from a young age and became the first black valedictorian at her high school in Georgia. She went on to study at Spelman College, a historically black university in Atlanta, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in physics, philosophy, and theater.

Spelman College (founded 1881) on July 18, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Sources: Washington Post, Oprah Magazine

Abrams was politically active at Spelman, attending student protests after the Rodney King riots. At the age of 18, she created a spreadsheet outlining her life goals, which included writing a best-selling spy novel, becoming a millionaire CEO, and becoming the mayor of Atlanta by age 35.

Screenshot of Stacey Abrams giving a political speech as a teenager.      NowThis News/YouTube

Source: Business Insider, Washington Post

In 1992, Abrams landed a spot as a youth services research assistant for Maynard Jackson, Atlanta's first black mayor.

Maynard Jackson, the first black mayor of Atlanta.      Getty Images

Source: Washington Post, Oprah Magazine

But Abrams wanted a more holistic view of political life. So in 1998, she received a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, and in 1999, she got a law degree from Yale.

Stacey Abrams, a 2014 EMILY's list rising star who's running for governor of Georgia.      Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters

Source: Oprah Magazine

When she was 29 years old, Abrams became the deputy city attorney to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, the first black woman to hold the title in a big southern city.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks during the National Action Network Convention in New York, Wednesday, April 3, 2019.      Seth Wenig/AP Photo

Source: Washington Post

Her political career quickly advanced after that. By 2006, Abrams was elected into the Georgia House of Representatives, and by 2011, she became the minority leader.

Stacey Abrams, former Democratic leader in the Georgia House of Representatives and founder and chair of Fair Fight Action, prepares to testify during the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties hearing on the Voting Rights Act on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.      Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Source: The Washington Post

Then, in 2018, Abrams ran for governor of Georgia, and became the first black woman in US history to win a gubernatorial nomination for either political party.

Then Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams addresses supporters at an election watch party on November 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Source: The Washington Post

Abrams has described herself as a political "pragmatist" but has eagerly embraced the term "progressive". In her campaign for governor, she advocated for the expansion of Medicaid, and as a state representative she fought for low- and middle-class families, reproductive rights, stronger public education, and social programs.

Stacey Abrams campaigning across Georgia on the first day of early voting outside the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia on October 15, 2018.      Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Source: Washington Post

Her opponent Brian Kemp, then the Republican secretary of state, won the race. But accusations of voter suppression efforts led by Kemp's offices left many to believe she had lost the race unfairly.

Georgia gubernatorial candidates (L-R) Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp debate in an event that also included Libertarian Ted Metz at Georgia Public Broadcasting in Midtown October 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.      John Bazemore-Pool/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider, Washington Post

Abrams has since made a large part of her political mission to fight against voter suppression. Following her defeat in Georgia, she set out to create Fair Fight, an organization that educates voters about their rights and champions a fair election process.

Former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives Stacey Abrams speaks to a crowd at a Democratic National Committee event at Flourish in Atlanta on June 6, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Dustin Chambers/Getty Images

Sources: Business Insider, Fair Fight

The 2018 governor's race made Abrams a household name, but the Georgia politician decided to pass on an opportunity to run for a position in the Senate "because that's not the job that I want to do," Abrams previously told Business Insider. "It's a fantastic opportunity, but also if you run because you think you should and not because you want to, it becomes incredibly difficult to win or to even do the work."

Former US President Barack Obama stands with Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams during a campaign rally at Morehouse College on November 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

But her popularity among democrats has continued to grow. In 2019, she was chosen to deliver the party's rebuttal to Trump's State of the Union address, and her remarks were well received.

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams delivers the Democratic response to the U.S. President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in this still frame taken from video, in Washington, U.S., February 5, 2019.      REUTERS/Reuters TV

Source: Business Insider

Despite her political success, Abrams has also not given up on her other life goals. Under the pen name Selena Montgomery, Abrams has written eight romantic suspense novels. One of them, titled "Never Tell," is even being turned into a CBS drama, which Abrams will produce.

Stacey Abrams speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 Women in Entertainment in Hollywood on December 11, 2019.      Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

Abrams has also cofounded a financial services company called NOWaccount Network Corporation, which she previously told Business Insider is doing "exceptionally well."

Stacey Abrams won Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial primary in May.      Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Sources: Business Insider, Harvard Business School

But now, Abrams has shifted her political focus toward the 2020 presidential race. The Georgia politician has made it known that she would like to be considered as a possible vice president to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

Democratic politician Stacey Abrams speaks to the media before the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

According to a Politico report, Abrams has been privately calling power brokers and asking for assistance in getting the word out to the Biden campaign. Abrams has also spoken about her ambitions publicly, telling Elle magazine that she "would be an excellent running mate" and was "prepared and excited to serve," in mid-April.

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2019, file photo former Georgia House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams, speaks at the National Press Club in Washington. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has already narrowed the field by saying he will pick a woman. In addition to Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, other names that have been part of the speculation are Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Abrams.      AP Photo/Michael A. McCoy

Source: Business Insider

Abrams has made it clear she has no qualms advocating for herself. "As a young black girl growing up in Mississippi, I learned that if I didn't speak up for myself, no one else would," she said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "My mission is to say out loud if I'm asked the question, 'Yes, I would be willing to serve.'"

Then Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate, Stacey Abrams speaks onstage during So So Def 25th Cultural Curren$y Tour at State Farm Arena on October 21, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

But critics have called the move "offensive" and slammed Abrams for marketing herself. Some Democrats have also been skeptical of her political background, noting that she doesn't have the same level of experience as other potential leaders, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.

Stacey Abrams speaks during the Martin & Coretta S. King Unity Breakfast on March 1, 2020 in Selma, Alabama.      Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Source: Business Insider

Recent reports have also shown Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts rising in the ranks for the position. But even if Abrams doesn't get the nomination, her ambition is thought to be a symbolic turning point for the Democratic party.

Democratic presidential candidates former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren pose together at the start of the fourth U.S. Democratic presidential candidates 2020 election debate at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio U.S., October 15, 2019.      Shannon Stapleton/File Photo/REUTERS

Source: Business Insider, Politico

Appearing on CNN in April, Abrams expressed the importance in championing black women in positions of leadership. "It's not about attention for being the running mate," she said. "It is about making sure that my qualifications aren't in question, because they're not just speaking to me. They're speaking to young black women, young women of color, young people of color, who wonder if they too can be seen."

A supporter holds a campaign poster of Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams outside Busy Bee Cafe on November 6, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.      Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Sources: Business Insider, CNN

Abrams told Business Insider's Rebecca Aydin the advice she would give to young black women looking to run for office. "One, it's going to require money, and learning how to raise money is a skill. It's a skill like learning the law, and you've got to learn that skill and understand it. Two, run when you're ready. Don't wait for someone to ask — call yourself. And then three, when you run, make sure you're running for the job you want, not the job you think you should want."

Stacey Abrams speaks onstage during the 2018 Essence Festival presented by Coca-Cola at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana.      Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence

Source: Business Insider