Washington: Vice president-elect Kamala Harris said on Saturday (local time) that Americans have protected the integrity of democracy as she addressed the nation for the first time after a landslide victory in the US presidential election.

“Congressman John Lewis wrote before his passing: “Democracy is not a state. It is an act.” What he meant was that America’s democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it—and that’s exactly what you did,” she said in her first victory speech in Wilmington, Delaware amid a huge round of applause.

Harris thanked her campaign staff and volunteers for their effort in “bringing more people than ever before into the democratic process” and also American people for turning up in record numbers and making their voices heard.

“To all the poll workers and election officials, our nation owes you a debt of gratitude. And to the American people: thank you for making your voices heard. When our very democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America,” she said.

The nail-biting contest between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican candidate Donald Trump finally came to an end on Saturday after the former emerged as victorious in one of the most bitter and divisive presidential elections.

Harris, who has become America’s first female, first Black, and first Indian-American to serve as vice president, said that Americans voted for “hope, unity, decency and truth”.

“For four years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives, and for our planet. And then, you voted. You voted for hope, unity, decency, science, and truth when you chose @JoeBiden as the next President of the United States of America. We the people have power to build a better future,” she said.

The vice president-elect also mentioned India in her first speech after a landslide victory in the US presidential race and also remembered her mother.

“When she came here from India at the age of 19. She may not have quite imagined this moment. But she believed so deeply in America, where a moment like this is possible. And so I’m thinking about her,” she said.

Harris, an Indian-origin, further said that her victory was just a beginning for women across the country as she was elected to be the top-ranking female leader in US history.

“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last—because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities,” the vice president-elect asserted.

Harris also asserted that she and President-elect Joe Biden will now be working to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, to rebuild the economy and to combat the climate crisis. “Now the real work begins. To beat this pandemic. To rebuild our economy. To root out systemic racism in our justice system and society. To combat the climate crisis. To heal the soul of our nation. The road ahead won’t be easy. But America is ready. And so are @JoeBiden and I,” she said.