Biography
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly known as AOC, was born on October 13, 1989, in the Bronx, New York. She grew up in a working-class family; her father, Sergio Ocasio-Roman, owned a small architectural firm, and her mother, Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, was born in Puerto Rico and worked as a house cleaner. At the age of five, her family moved to Yorktown Heights, a suburb north of New York City, to access better educational opportunities. After her father's death in 2008, Ocasio-Cortez returned to the Bronx, where she worked in the nonprofit sector and supplemented her income by bartending and waiting tables.
In 2018, Ocasio-Cortez gained national attention by defeating 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York's 14th congressional district. She was subsequently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the youngest woman ever to serve in Congress at the age of 29.
As a member of Congress, Ocasio-Cortez has been a prominent advocate for progressive policies, including the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public colleges. She has also been an influential voice on social media, effectively engaging with a younger demographic and bringing attention to issues such as climate change, income inequality, and social justice.
Education and Political Experience
-
Education:
- Graduated from Yorktown High School in 2007.
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Economics from Boston University in 2011.
-
Political Experience:
- Interned at the foreign affairs and immigration office of Senator Ted Kennedy in 2008.
- Served as an organizer for Senator Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign.
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, representing New York's 14th congressional district.
- Re-elected in subsequent terms, including a comfortable victory in 2024.
- Became the youngest woman to preside over the House of Representatives in 2019.
- Delivered a primetime speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, endorsing Kamala Harris for president and emphasizing the need for Democratic majorities to implement a progressive agenda.
Throughout her tenure, Ocasio-Cortez has been a leading figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, advocating for policies aimed at addressing climate change, economic inequality, and social justice.
