Carol Borges, Retired Activist

Carol Borges, a retired 33-year Tucsonan, is Gabrielle Giffords’ supporter of the week. Borges has experienced some of the most memorable events in the last half of the 20th century, including living in Montgomery, AL when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, and working on JFK’s presidential campaign. She has been volunteering for Giffords since the start of our campaign, because “Gabrielle stands for the things I stand for — the environment, education for kids, and health care.”

Carol was born in Pennsylvania, and went to a two-room schoolhouse in Laughlintown, PA from third through eighth grades. When she was 19, she joined the Air Force, and was stationed in Montgomery, AL, when Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up on the bus. “It was exciting to live there during the civil rights movement,” said Carol.

Such historic events changed the direction of our country, but they never challenged Carol’s beliefs, which were instilled in her by her father. According to Carol, he always taught her, “Don’t ever judge a person by the way they look, or by their religion — you look them in the eye and judge them by what’s inside.”

After serving our country in the Air Force, Carol spent nine years in Washington, DC, during which time she volunteered for the campaign of John F. Kennedy. “I loved him,” she said about JFK. “He and Jackie turned this country around and made it human again.”

Carol moved to Tucson in 1973 and got her degree in journalism from U of A. She retired from her position with the Pima County Attorney’s office, where she worked with the 88-CRIME program doing reenactments and press releases, in 2001. During her three decades in Tucson, she has volunteered for many political campaigns, including those of Mo Udall and Raúl Grijalva. She has been volunteering with Gabrielle’s campaign since it started.

“When Kolbe retired, I sent an email to Gabby telling her that she had to run,” Carol said. “I like what Gabrielle did in the legislature. She has a record that stands for all the things I stand for — the environment, education for kids, health care. I think we really need her in Congress and she’ll fight for the things I believe in.”

She loves volunteering with the campaign because of its level of activity. “I’ve never seen a campaign that has this much going on this early,” she said. “To have people here on Saturday and Sunday, and at night, shows that there are a lot of people that are supporting this campaign.”