Women in Politics: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

by Neve Walker

Edited by Arushi Patil & Taruni Manam, Layout by Inchara J

Throughout American history, women have been oppressed and have not had as many opportunities as men have had. The first woman's rights convention took place in New York in 1848. During this convention, the declaration of sentiments was created.

This declaration was modeled after the Declaration of Independence and fought for women's rights, like suffrage. The women that put together this convention set a precedent for women in the future that would have a rightful place in America, and we deserve for our voices to be heard. An example of a modern woman that fights for what she believes in, and fights for humanity, is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC.

AOC was elected for New York’s 14th congressional district on June 26, 2018. She was 29 at the time, becoming the youngest congresswoman ever voted in. She has had many accomplishments during her time in office. During the government shutdown, AOC worked with a Youtuber during a livestream to support and raise money for Mermaids, an organization that supports trans youth. From this, she raised over $300,000 for the organization. Also during the government shutdown, she spoke on the floor of the senate highlighting that government workers were not being paid at this time. She spoke of her constituent, an air traffic controller at JFK international airport.

During this speech, we were able to see how AOC can connect to the public and fight for their rights. One of her most famous accomplishments is introducing the Green New Deal. The Green New Deal addresses environmental concerns and a solution to fix them, while also creating new jobs and boosting the economy. Although many people oppose the Green New Deal because of how drastic it is, sometimes it is important to make big changes for the better long term.

AOC has connected to the public, through speeches on the Senate floor, and live streams of Instagram. She makes politics approachable and is a great role model for young women. She sets the floor for women in the future to make a stand in governments and have a say in the world. We are at a time in America where women don’t have to rely on men to make the decisions for us, we have as much as a right to work in politics as men, and AOC is a brilliant example of how a woman doesn't have to be passive. Although men have verbally assaulted her, she has bounced back, and she teaches us that we shouldn't take abuse from men.

References

Milestones for Women in American Politics. (2019, May 03). Retrieved September 09, 2020, from https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/milestones-forwomen

Mercado, A. (1969, April 01). A Look Back at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Momentous First Year in Congress. Retrieved September 09, 2020, from https://remezcla.com/lists/culture/alexandriaocasio-cortezs-historic-first-year-congress/

image of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez from ocasiocortez house. Retrieved on September 15, 2020 from https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/about/biography