Legacy — Alice Borodkin: Author, Speaker, Advocate

Author: Caught Between the Bettys

After being term limited in 2009, Alice turned her life experience into a memoir: Caught Between the Bettys: Betty Friedan and Betty Crocker.

"Who are the Bettys? The Bettys in this case refer to Betty Friedan and Betty Crocker. It's my story of being a part of the culture of the 1950s … Betty Crocker and the Feminine Mystique … Betty Friedan. It was a tug of war!"

The memoir was featured in CIPA Signature News (January 13, 2016), in a Denver Press Club Book Beat interview, and at a Book Talk with Jewish Authors event.

Strong Sisters Documentary

Alice was featured in the Strong Sisters documentary, which premiered on March 6, 2016 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Littleton, Colorado.

Speaker

Drawing on her legislative experience, international policy training, and personal journey, Alice speaks on topics including:

We Have an Emergency

The Global War on Women Right in Our Own Back Yard

Women, Peace & Security

International frameworks and their domestic implications

What is the War on Women?

Here and globally — why should we care?

NGOs & UN Women

What are they and what do they do?

Domestic Violence

Reproductive rights here and abroad

Rape as a Tool of War

Can that happen here? Recommendations for change

Advocate

"You must advocate for what you want! Our State Legislators, City Council people, and yes, in some cases, our Congressional delegation in Washington DC, need to be told what we need and expect of them. They work for us. Not the other way around!"

Continued Anti-Trafficking Work

Alice continued to advocate against human trafficking after leaving the legislature. She highlighted Ambassador Swanee Hunt's Demand Abolition initiative, which pioneered demand-side enforcement — targeting sex buyers rather than victims. She wrote about Washington state's prosecution of "The League," an online network of high-frequency sex buyers.

Fighting Ageism

"I once told the leader of the House of Representatives, 'I may not be the future of the Party, but I am the future given my experience!' I was sixty-six at the time."

She urged healthcare providers to treat older patients with dignity: "NEVER call me 'dear' or pat me on the head. This is a clear case of ageism. I want to say to them: 'What do you know about me?'"

Voting Rights

Alice championed voter participation, noting 1 in 5 eligible voters remained unregistered and 40% sat out the 2016 election. She championed the #VotingMatters campaign and encouraged citizens to engage directly with their legislators.

International Women's Issues

Alice highlighted Ukrainian women's shadow peace talks and advocated for women's roles in peace processes, referencing UN Resolution 1325 and WAND.org (Women's Action for New Directions).

Alice in Action

Aids Walk (2001)

Walking in support of AIDS awareness

Educating Students

Teaching civics at Samuels Elementary, Denver

Press Conference

Anti-trafficking legislation media event

Signing with Gov. Owens

Seniors legislation signing ceremony

On the House Floor

Working with Rep. Val Vigil

Women Pilots

Buckley AFB with International Org. of Women Pilots