Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (born October 13, 1989), commonly known by her initials AOC, is an American politician and activist serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019. A prominent progressive Democrat and democratic socialist, and a member of 'The Squad,' she is a leading progressive voice in the Democratic Party and in Congress who gained national prominence in 2018 by defeating long-time incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at age 29. Her platform emphasizes advocacy for progressive policies like the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, student debt forgiveness, and broader climate, economic, and social justice reforms, including climate change, healthcare access, income inequality, and criminal justice reform, often challenging the Democratic establishment. Born in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, she is the daughter of Sergio Ocasio-Roman, an architect of Puerto Rican descent born in the Bronx, and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, born in Puerto Rico. Her family faced financial hardships after her father's sudden death from cancer in 2008 during her sophomore year of college. Prior to her political career, Ocasio-Cortez worked as a waitress and bartender in New York City while advocating for various causes, including leading the 2017 Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. After graduating cum laude from Boston University in 2011 with degrees in international relations and economics, she struggled to find stable employment amid the Great Recession. As a member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, she has been a vocal proponent of these policies.