Cori Bush

Cori Bush is a politician, pastor, registered nurse, and activist from St. Louis, Missouri, who became the first Black woman to represent Missouri in Congress. Born and raised in St. Louis, she built her career through community organizing, healthcare work, and advocacy for working-class families. Bush first gained national attention during the 2014 Ferguson protests following the police killing of Michael Brown Jr., where she served as both a medic and frontline activist. Her experiences during Ferguson helped shape her commitment to racial justice, healthcare access, housing rights, and economic equity.
Bush’s advocacy is deeply informed by her own life experiences, including living paycheck to paycheck, surviving eviction and homelessness, raising two children as a single mother, and struggling without health insurance. She has spoken openly about experiencing chronic health challenges and seeking abortion care in a state where reproductive rights have been heavily restricted. In 2020, she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a new generation of progressive leaders focused on grassroots organizing and people-powered politics. In Congress, Bush became known for advocating for Medicare for All, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, voting rights, and expanded social programs.
A member of the progressive congressional coalition known as “The Squad,” Bush has consistently emphasized accountability to everyday people over corporate donors and special interests. Throughout her career, she has positioned herself as a fighter for communities historically excluded from political power, advocating for policies centered on dignity, equity, and economic justice.