Alexandria Ocasio Cortez tells this iconic woman to take her 'rightful seat in history'

'Here's to women in STEM'

'Here's to women in STEM'

You would have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, especially in recent months. The US Democratic politician was made Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district in January this year but the millennial is nothing like her predecessors.

The activist known best by her initials, AOC, wears Zara, serves up razor-sharp comebacks and until recently worked in a bar while launching her campaign. Oh and did we mention that she’s 29 years old?

Yes, AOC is one huge breath of fresh air, and with a political system in desperate need of a shake up - she couldn’t have come at a better time.

REX

This week, she made news for publicly congratulating and championing the scientist behind the first ever photo of a black hole, telling her to ‘take her rightful seat in history’.

Katie Bouman, a 29-year-old computer scientist was key in developing a computer programme that was responsible for the first ever photo of a black hole, an image that has spread across the globe.

While everyone has been raving about the photo, AOC instead was quick to credit the woman behind it.

See more

‘Take your rightful seat in history, Dr. Bouman!,’ AOC tweeted out. ‘Congratulations and thank you for your enormous contribution to the advancements of science and mankind. Here’s to #WomenInSTEM!’.

Women championing women. Like we needed another reason to love AOC.

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.