CHAPTER 1 CONGRESSWOMAN OCASIO CORTEZ Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a political activist from New York City New York She is best known for her surprise victory in the 2018 primary election This win led to her election to the US Congress In 2019 Ocasio Cortez became the representative of New York's Fourteenth Congressional District This district includes the areas of northern Queens and eastern Bronx where Ocasio Cortez was born Ocasio Cortez was proud to represent her home district But she was also making history When she was elected Ocasio Cortez was only 29 years old This made her the youngest woman ever to be elected to US Congress Ocasio Cortez's success surprised politicians Many hadn't expected her to inspire so much support Ocasio Cortez was surprised too Growing up she and her family had struggled to make ends meet Nobody expected a Bronx native with Puerto Rican roots to become congresswoman before her thirtieth birthday
Ocasio Cortez is a Democratic Socialist Democratic Socialists generally believe the government should provide for the basic needs of its citizens
CHAPTER 2 BETWEEN TWO WORLDS Alexandria Ocasio Cortez was born on October 13 1989 in the Bronx New York City Her mother Blanca had been born in Puerto Rico Alexandria's father Sergio was of Puerto Rican descent Blanca and Sergio moved to New York after getting married in Puerto Rico In New York Sergio worked as an architect Blanca worked as a cleaner and secretary Much of Alexandria's family had lived in the Bronx for many years But the Bronx was home to New York's poorest neighborhoods Sergio and Blanca were concerned about the education available to Alexandria and her younger brother Gabriel The couple wanted to send their kids to a school that might provide better opportunities Family members helped Sergio and Blanca buy a house in Yorktown Heights This was a wealthier neighborhood outside New York City Alexandria moved there when she was around five years old
Ocasio Cortez's mother and brother stood by her as she was sworn in as congresswoman
