Latino Empowerment Campaign:

Puerto Rican descendant, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as “AOC”, made history when she became the youngest congresswoman in United States history. At just 29 years old, Ocasio-Cortez was elected to represent New York’s 14th District, which includes the boroughs of Queens and Bronx.

Born into a working-class Puerto Rican family, AOC saw first hand and experienced the reality of New York’s growing income inequalities. After graduating high school, Alexandria attended Boston University and graduated with honors double majoring in economics and international relations. In 2018, AOC aspired to be part of Congress and against all odds, beat Congressman Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary election to Congress in New York’s 14th District.

Since starting her campaign, she overcame multiple hurdles that some felt made her an underdog: she is a woman, she is Latina and she had limited political experience. However, AOC used these perceived limitations to her advantage and she has revolutionized politics in the U.S. Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has made a name for herself based on her achievements, both political and social. Some of the achievements include:

• Brook Avenue Press: In 2012, Ocasio-Cortez created the Brook Avenue Press publishing company that publishes children’s books showcasing the positive side of the Bronx, NY.
• Green New Deal: This initiative is a set of policy proposals that aim to fight climate change, global warming and the financial crisis. The project also was designed to create a radical shift in the transportation as well as construction industries through the use of renewable and sustainable energy by 2030.
• Medicare For All: This proposal would require the U.S. government to provide health benefits to all Americans aiding in the control of the large financial costs of medical care in the US.
• Petition to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Along with numerous activists and leaders, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has been an important opposition to continuing funding ICE and stressed the importance of abolishing this anti-immigrant agency responsible for numerous raids against undocumented people in the United States.
• Supporting gun control: Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has been a staunch supporter of a federal ban on assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and bump stocks.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez represents pride for the Latino community as she fights against social and economic injustices while also trying to protect undocumented populations. She is an example of the importance of political representation within the U.S. democracy. NHCOA appreciates, supports and encourages AOC to continue her work on behalf of the Hispanic community in the United States. #LatinoPride

References:

https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/about/biography