Scenes as Cori Bush takes office as Missouri’s First District congresswoman
Congresswoman Cori Bush, D-St. Louis (1st District), the first Black woman and first nurse to represent Missouri in the U.S. House; and the first activist from the movement fighting for Black lives to serve in the U.S. Congress was sworn in to the 117th Congress on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

"I have St. Louis in my bag. That's how it feels. When I walk into the House Chambers, I am bringing St. Louis with me,” said Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush, who readies for morning press interviews inside her office in the Longworth House office building on her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Surrounded by the cheers and cameras of family and friends, Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush reacts to seeing a sign bearing her name and title outside her office in the Longworth House office building on her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

"I am overjoyed, excited, happy, nervous, overwhelmed and honored all at the same time, but I am ready," said Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush, who presses her hand over her Congressional pin on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

After receiving her Congressional pin, Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush walks down the Capitol steps with assistance of staffer Jack Besser on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

"I am coming from a place of understanding what it is like to be a regular person in our community. I am a registered nurse. Before I was a registered nurse I was a working in childcare making in minimum wage, trying to raise two children. I have lived unhoused, lived pay check to paycheck, with no health insurance. I live in a place where I hear gunshots throughout the night and the day.... being in this position what it means to me finally a regular person in our community have voice, not that I know it all but I will be listening to it all ," said Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush, who readies for morning press interviews inside her office in the Longworth House office building on her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Friends and family pray while Stephany Spaulding anoints her long-time friend Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush with oils inside Bush's office in the Longworth House office building on her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush's best friend Kenyatta Griffin, left, and Bush's children Zion and Angle Noland arrive with family and friends at the Longworth House office building on Bush's swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) stops Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush in the tunnel as she was en route to the Capitol to cast her vote on her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Friends and family pray while Stephany Spaulding anoints her long-time friend Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush with oils inside Bush's office in the Longworth House office building on her swearing in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

True to her claim of being the "queen of sparkle", Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush's nails sparkle as she touches her Congressional pin on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush walks down the hall to her office in the Longworth House office building to cheers of her family and friends on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington D.C. It was the first time Bush saw the office furnished and with the sign posted outside with her name and title. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

"It's official," said Congresswoman Cori Bush, as she walks into her office to applauding family, friends and staff after being sworn in as part of the 117th class of Congress on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Jihad Khayyam, director of community outreach at Better Family Life in St. Louis, left, and Bush's cousin Frederick Johnson of Michigan, erupt in applause as Congresswoman Cori Bush walks into her office after being sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Friends and family pray while friend Stephany Spaulding anoints her long-time friend Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush with oils inside Bush's office in the Longworth House office building on the morning of her swearing-in day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Cori Bush makes history as first Black Congresswoman in Missouri

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) takes a selfie with Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush, left, standing next Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other progressive members of the Squad Ayanna Pressley,( D-Mass.), Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.) and Congressman-elect Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) in the cafeteria of the Capitol before Bush was sworn in on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Washington D.C.
New Congress

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi administers the oath of office to members of the 117th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Cori Bush is to the left of the aisle, three rows from the front. (Tasos Katopodis/Pool via AP)