What are some important facts about Alexandria Ocasio Cortez?

Here are some important facts about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:

1. Birth and Early Life: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was born on October 13, 1989, in the Bronx, New York City. She grew up in a working-class family in the Parkchester neighborhood before moving to Yorktown Heights at the age of five.
2. Education: Ocasio-Cortez attended Yorktown High School, graduating in 2007. She then pursued a double major in international relations and economics at Boston University, graduating cum laude in 2011.
3. Scientific Achievement: During high school, Ocasio-Cortez gained recognition for her scientific research. In 2007, she came in second place in the microbiology category of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair with a project focused on antioxidants and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. As a result, a small asteroid was named after her: 23238 Ocasio-Cortez.
4. Family Background: Ocasio-Cortez’s father, Sergio Ocasio-Roman, was of Puerto Rican descent and worked as an architect. Her mother, Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, was born in Puerto Rico. She has a younger brother named Gabriel.

1. Activism and Work Experience: Before entering politics, Ocasio-Cortez worked various jobs, including as a bartender and waitress. She also co-founded Brook Avenue Press, a publishing firm focused on portraying the Bronx in a positive light, and worked for the nonprofit National Hispanic Institute.
2. Political Career: Ocasio-Cortez’s political career gained momentum when she worked as an organizer for Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign during the 2016 primary. In 2018, she made history by defeating incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New York’s 14th congressional district, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the age of 29.
3. Progressive Policies: Ocasio-Cortez is known for her advocacy of progressive policies, including the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, and abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
4. Social Media Presence: Ocasio-Cortez has a significant presence on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, where she engages with constituents, shares her policy positions, and amplifies her message to a broad audience.
5. Reflections: Ocasio-Cortez was reelected to Congress in both the 2020 and 2022 elections, further solidifying her position as a prominent voice within the Democratic Party and a leading figure in progressive politics.