• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Politicsalexandria ocasio-cortez

AOC says she was grateful to have the option of abortion after she was raped a decade ago

By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 26, 2022, 4:23 PM ET
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks to abortion-rights activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after the court announced a ruling ending federal protection for abortion.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks to abortion-rights activists in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after the court announced a ruling ending federal protection for abortion.Nathan Howard/Getty Images

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on Friday she was grateful abortion was an option when she was raped in New York City a decade ago.

“I myself, when I was about 22 or 23 years old, was raped while I was living here in New York City,” Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), told attendees at a pro-abortion rally at New York’s City Union Square Park, Business Insider reported.

“When I sat there waiting for what the result would be, all I could think was, “Thank God I have, at least, a choice. Thank God I could, at least, have the freedom to choose my destiny.”

The test eventually came back negative, she said.

“But it doesn’t matter,” she added. “It doesn’t matter and that this is for all of us. This is not a women’s rights issue. This is an issue for all of us.”

The remarks were made the same day the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a 1992 decision that upheld it, in a historic yet anticipated reversal.

The right to an abortion is now left to individual states.

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.
About the Author
By Erin Prater
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Tom Homan speaks at a podium.
PoliticsImmigration
The ‘largest immigration enforcement operation ever’ in Minnesota is ending
By Steve Karnowski and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
17 hours ago
The CEO of coal producer Peabody Energy, Jim Grech, left, hands a trophy to U.S. President Donald Trump during an event on the use of coal in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. The lobbyist group, the Washington Coal Club, awarded Trump the inaugural "Undisputed Champion of Coal" award. Trump also is signing an executive order directing the Defense Department to buy electricity from coal-fired power plants. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Energyclimate change
The Trump administration calls its climate change policy shift the ‘largest deregulatory action’ in history—but experts say the impact will be limited
By Jordan BlumFebruary 12, 2026
19 hours ago
Donald Trump, holding two babies in his arms, leans over to kiss on on the head.
Future of Workremote work
‘Fertility president’ Trump has demanded a baby boom, and Stanford researchers have a solution: Let more people work from home
By Sasha RogelbergFebruary 12, 2026
20 hours ago
narcos
North AmericaMexico
From ‘The Lord of the Skies’ to drones over El Paso, Mexican cartels have a long history of airborne drug fleets
By María Verza and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
21 hours ago
trump
PoliticsTariffs and trade
Trump tariffs on Canada slapped down in 219-211 bipartisan vote
By Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
22 hours ago
nato
PoliticsNATO
After Hegseth snubs NATO, Europe makes the best of it: ‘Sadly for him, he is missing a good party’
By Lorne Cook and The Associated PressFebruary 12, 2026
22 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Crypto
Bitcoin reportedly sent to wallet associated with Nancy Guthrie’s ransom letter providing potential clue in investigation
By Carlos GarciaFebruary 11, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Some folks on Wall Street think yesterday’s U.S. jobs number is ‘implausible’ and thus due for a downward correction
By Jim EdwardsFebruary 12, 2026
24 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘Nothing short of self-sabotage’: Watchdog warns about national debt setting new record in just 4 years
By Tristan BoveFebruary 11, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
America’s national debt borrowing binge means interest payments will rocket to $2 trillion a year by 2036, CBO says
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 11, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
Something big is happening in AI — and most people will be blindsided
By Matt ShumerFebruary 11, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Ex–Google exec says degrees in law and medicine are a waste of time because they take so long to complete that AI will catch up by graduation
By Preston ForeFebruary 11, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.