We live in a time where it seems every blog post, news article and mainstream media story revolves around negativity. Today, I want to share the inspiring story of an incredible young woman who has done the unthinkable, and some would say, the impossible. But first, let’s start with a formal introduction.
The day before her amazing victory in the Democratic Primary for New York’s 14th Congressional District, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to shine a light on the way she was referenced in some of the local news media and tabloids. Time and time again, she was simply referred to as incumbent Representative Joe Crowley’s “primary opponent”.
However, in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary, Ocasio-Cortez defeated Crowley, who had not faced a primary challenger in 14 years. Not only is her name being broadcasted across the political world, but she has become a household name to her fellow New Yorkers. If Ms. Ocasio-Cortez defeats the Republican candidate, Anthony Pappas, in the predominantly Democratic district in November, she would dethrone Elise Stefanik as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. That possibility, in addition to her recent victory, is what makes her story so inspiring.
As she stated in her campaign video, “Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office”. Just last year, Alexandria was working as a waitress and bartender. She had never held elected office and was still paying off her student loans. During her campaign, her opponent’s budget outnumbered hers 10 to 1, and you could say all odds were stacked against her.
But this Bronx-born, Latina American Millennial stood for change and campaigned the way she felt was right, by reaching out to the people of New York in a more personal way than others. She targeted unaffiliated voters, door-knocked, and made her presence known in the community. During a debate with Annabel Palma, a former city councilwoman who filled in for Crowley, Ocasio-Cortez stated that her campaign was of, by, and for the Bronx.
“We have touched the hearts and minds of all families here. We are fighting for an unapologetic movement for economic, social, and racial justice in the United States,” Ocasio-Cortez said. Her decision to run has been credited to her experience protesting at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in 2016 against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Soon after, she was contacted by a progressive organization, Brand New Congress, who asked her to run.
Ocasio-Cortez has called for a federal jobs guarantee, tuition-free public colleges, Medicare for all and the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (also known as ICE). It is clear that her politics are substantially to the left of most of the Democratic party, but many feel these are the exact changes and viewpoints that are needed. Regardless of your stance, we can all probably agree that she has broken barriers and provides yet another great example of what hard work, perseverance, and focusing on people and inclusion can get you. Congratulations Alexandria, and in your words, “Let’s Do This!”.
