Biography:
Cori Anika Bush is a prominent American politician, nurse, pastor, and Black Lives Matter activist. Born on July 21, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri, she has become a powerful force for change and representation. Currently serving as the U.S. representative for Missouri’s 1st congressional district, Bush has made a significant impact on both her community and the nation as a whole.
Bush’s journey towards political leadership began with her early education. She graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School in 1994, where she laid the foundation for her future endeavors. Growing up in a politically active family, with her father Errol Bush serving as an alderman in Northwoods, Missouri, and previously as mayor, Cori was inspired by the strength and dedication of her loved ones.
Throughout her early years, Bush faced personal challenges that shaped her resilience and determination. In the summer of 1994, she became pregnant after allegedly being raped, ultimately choosing to have an abortion. This deeply personal experience informed her views on reproductive rights and the importance of advocating for women’s autonomy over their bodies. At the age of 19, she made the same decision again, solidifying her unwavering belief in a woman’s right to choose.
After completing a year at Harris-Stowe State University from 1995 to 1996, Bush worked at a preschool until 2001. However, her desire to make a difference in her community led her down a different path. In 2011, she established the Kingdom Embassy International Church in St. Louis, Missouri, becoming a respected voice of leadership within her congregation.
Bush’s dedication to her community extended beyond the pulpit. In 2014, she emerged as a fierce political activist during the Ferguson unrest, a pivotal moment in American history that brought awareness to racial inequality and police brutality. During this time, Bush worked as a triage nurse and organizer, witnessing firsthand the power of community mobilization and the urgent need for change.
Recognizing the importance of nonviolence in achieving social justice, Bush became a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. This appointment solidified her commitment to peaceful activism and the fight for equality.
In 2016, Cori Bush ran for the United States Senate in Missouri, seeking to represent her state on a national level. Although she placed second in the Democratic primary, Secretary of State Jason Kander emerged as the nominee. Despite the setback, Bush’s strong showing demonstrated her ability to captivate voters and galvanize support for her progressive platform.
Undeterred by defeat, Bush set her sights on the U.S. House of Representatives, launching a primary campaign against incumbent Democrat Lacy Clay in 2018. With the backing of organizations like Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, she emerged as an insurgent candidate, driven by a passion for change and a commitment to amplifying the voices of the underrepresented.
Bush’s journey was documented in the 2019 Netflix documentary Knock Down the House, which highlighted her primary challenge to Clay alongside other progressive candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, and Paula Jean Swearengin. While Clay ultimately secured the victory with 56.7% of the vote compared to Bush’s 36.9%, her campaign captured the attention of the nation and solidified her place as a rising star within the Democratic Party.
In a remarkable turn of events, on August 4, 2020, Cori Bush achieved a historic upset, defeating 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st congressional district. This victory catapulted her into the November general election, where she emerged victorious, becoming the first African-American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri.
As a member of The Squad, a group of progressive congresswomen, Bush continues to be a powerful voice for social justice and equality. Her platform prioritizes issues such as affordable healthcare, police accountability, and economic justice, and she remains steadfast in her dedication to amplify marginalized voices and pave the way for a more representative and just society.