Within a year Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has gone from hard working bartender to successful politician. After an amazing victory in the Democratic party’s congressional primary, she may become the youngest congresswoman.

Alexandria grew up in the Bronx, New York. Her mother is Puerto Rican and her father is a Bronx native. She studied at Boston University and earned degrees in Economics and International relations. After graduating Alexandria came back to the Bronx to work in the education sector.

In 2008, at only 48 years old, her beloved father passed away from cancer. His death occurred during the recession and her family lost its primary source of income. It was under these circumstances Alexandria found herself working as a bartender and waitress on 18-hour shifts, to help her family. “My mother cleaned homes and drove school buses, and when my family was on the brink of foreclosure … I started bartending and waitressing. I understand the pain of working-class Americans because I have experienced the pain.” she said.

Her personal experience of financial struggle inspired her to create better lives for every family, so she set out to make a difference by running for office. “I started this race out of a paper bag. I had flyers and clipboards and it really was just nonstop knocking on doors and talking to the community,” she explained.

“Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office,” Alexandria said in her campaign video. However, at the age of 28, she won against political veteran Joe Crowley in the Democratic party’s congressional primary in New York City. If she wins against Republican candidate Anthony Pappas in the November mid-terms, she will become the youngest ever woman elected to Congress.

More info: twitter.com | ocasio2018.com

Only a year ago Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was working as a bartender and waitress on 18-hour shifts

Image credits: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

However, earlier this week her life was completely changed

She won against political veteran Joe Crowley in the Democratic party’s congressional primary in New York City

Image credits: Jesse Korman

After the death of her father young woman had to work two jobs to help her family

Image credits: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Her personal experience of financial struggle inspired her to create better lives for every family, so she set out to make a difference by running for office

Image credits: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

If Alexandria wins against the Republican candidate in the November mid-terms, she will become the youngest ever woman elected to Congress

Image credits: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Watch the video of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez telling her own story below

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