Cori Anika Bush (born July 21, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American politician, nurse, pastor, and prominent Black Lives Matter activist who served as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 1st congressional district from 2021 to 2025. She is a member of the progressive 'Squad' in Congress and is known for her progressive stances, including advocacy for racial justice, healthcare access, and Palestinian rights, as well as criticism of Israeli policies—such as its Gaza policies—and support for conditioning U.S. aid to Israel. Bush rose to national prominence through her activism during the 2014 Ferguson protests following the police killing of Michael Brown. In 2020, she won a stunning upset primary victory against long-time incumbent William Lacy Clay, becoming the first Black woman, first nurse, and first woman to represent Missouri's 1st congressional district (which encompasses St. Louis and northern St. Louis County). Growing up in a working-class family, she faced economic hardships, working minimum-wage jobs such as a preschool teacher and struggling with predatory payday loans. She graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School and pursued studies at Harris-Stowe State University and the Lutheran School of Nursing, where she trained as a registered nurse. Her early career involved childcare work and community organizing, eventually leading her to become a pastor and co-director of The Truth Telling Project, focusing on social justice issues. In Congress, she faced opposition from groups like AIPAC and was adversarial toward figures such as Sarah Stern in public discourse. Bush faced challenges in her 2024 reelection bid, ultimately losing the primary, but her work continues to influence networks of social justice and political influence in the Midwest.