How Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went from bartender to congresswoman

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s journey to Washington began in the Bronx, N.Y., where she was born to Puerto Rican parents. Now 29, she’s the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Representatives — a major win indeed. “A year ago, I was working downtown in restaurants. My life, and just the campaign’s life, changed overnight,” she said during an interview.

In 2011, Ocasio-Cortez graduated from Boston University with a degree in economics and international relations. Five years later, she worked as an organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaign and not long after that kicked off her primary run against 10-term incumbent Democrat Rep. Joe Crowley.

By early 2018, Ocasio-Cortez quit her job as a bartender. In June, she beat Crowley and last November she was elected to Congress. Ocasio-Cortez is now part of the 116th class of Congress, which also happens to be the most diverse, with a record number of women winning seats in the House of Representatives.

With more than 2 million followers on Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez uses the power of social media to address issues on her terms. In response to a viral video of herself dancing as a college student, the U.S. congresswoman released a new video and playful tweet:

She’s also had some choice words for President Trump:

When asked by Anderson Cooper on CBS’s 60 Minutes, whether Trump “is a racist,” she responded: “Yeah, yeah no question.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responds to Republican criticism of her college dancing video: ‘It is unsurprising’

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls out ‘double standards’ in American politics: Paul Ryan a ‘genius,’ while ‘I’m called a ‘fraud’

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slams sexist comments calling her ‘vacuous’