CEO Ruth Glenn Speaks at Democratic National Convention

August 31, 2020

This year’s Democratic National Convention featured the powerful voice of one of CU Denver’s very own. Ruth Glenn, CEO and President of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, received her MPA from the School of Public Affairs’ Program on Domestic Violence in 2003. 

In a video segment during the convention on Aug. 19, Glenn and other advocates for the prevention of sexual assault, including Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: SVU, called for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which presidential candidate Joe Biden wrote and introduced as a senator in 1990. 

In her speech, Glenn touched on her personal story with domestic violence. In 1992, her husband shot and left her for dead. For 13 years, she and her son had been abused by him, until they escaped. 

“But, he tracked us down. Back then there was limited help available and no national hotline to call. Local shelters were full. I didn’t even know the name for what was happening to me then: domestic violence,” Glenn said. “Now, working to end domestic violence is my life’s work.”

Glenn was employed by the Colorado Department of Human Services for 28 years and served as the Director of the Domestic Violence Program (DVP) for the last nine of those years, retiring in 2013. 

In the School of Public Affairs’ Center on Domestic Violence, students are trained to manage organizations and make policy around gender-based violence issues, said Dean Paul Teske, PhD. The program has a unique position nationally, providing path-breaking research and technical assistance around domestic violence issues. 

“We were so proud to see Ruth Glenn speak on national TV at the Democratic National Convention,” Teske said. “She spoke very articulately about her work, as well as her own experience with this issue. And, we know that this issue has become even more important during the pandemic, when many more families are forced to spend more time in their homes.”