[2] Raised in what she described as "a family of organizers", Tapia described her father as "a revolutionary" who "fought in the civil war against the invasion of the Yankees in 1965.

"[3] Tapia became involved in social activism at O&M College, where she founded and led the Unión Democrática de Mujeres as the group's president.

She served as a local Democratic district leader and as president of the parent teacher association at Theodore Roosevelt High School.

[3] In the 2021 New York City Council election, Tapia unsuccessfully ran to represent the 14th district, losing to Pierina Sanchez.

Tapia was nominated as the candidate of the Democratic Party and won the special election to succeed Pichardo.