Realtor veteran Dorothy Botsoe publishes first book on housing discrimination

Dorothy Botsoe, a White Plains broker-owner and former Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors president, has released her first book, Access Denied. The memoir ties her own experiences with housing discrimination to a broader message about fair housing, resilience and opening doors for others.

Why it matters: - Dorothy Botsoe’s book turns a personal housing discrimination story into a broader case for fair housing and access in today’s market. - The release adds the voice of a longtime real estate leader who has worked in the industry for 40 years and has spent decades teaching and advocating within it. - Access Denied is positioned as both a memoir and a practical message about business success, dignity and persistence.

What happened: - Dorothy Botsoe, broker/owner of Dorothy Jensen Realty Inc. in White Plains, New York, launched her first book, Access Denied. - The book recounts Botsoe’s experience confronting bigotry and discrimination while house-hunting in the Hudson Valley and in Fairfield County, Connecticut. - Botsoe was born in Ghana, came to the U.S. at age 17, later moved to Washington, D.C., and eventually settled in Westchester County, New York. - Access Denied is currently available on Amazon.com. - Botsoe’s LinkedIn profile is listed in the release.

The details: - Botsoe said some agents told her she would not be happy in certain areas because she would be the only Black person there. - The book connects that experience to her decision to pursue real estate and help others navigate housing access. - Botsoe earned more than a dozen real estate certifications. - She worked as a New York State real estate instructor for more than 27 years. - Botsoe received Realtor of the Year honors from both the New York State and local Realtor associations. - In 2017, she became the first Black president of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors in its 100-year history. - Botsoe opened Dorothy Jensen Realty Inc. in 1995. - She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from SUNY Purchase. - She has served on committees and held executive roles at the local, state and national Realtor association levels. - Botsoe currently serves on the Board of Directors and the Diversity Committee for the National Association of Realtors. - She has also worked with Westchester Residential Opportunities and has been honored for fair housing work.

Between the lines: - The book arrives as fair housing remains a live issue despite the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. - Botsoe’s framing pushes beyond complaint and toward agency, with a message that success depends on persistence and mindset. - The release positions Access Denied as a professional guide as much as a personal story.

What's next: - Botsoe is likely to continue using her platform in real estate, fair housing and association leadership to amplify the book’s message. - The release suggests Access Denied will be part of her ongoing advocacy around access, equity and professional advancement.

The bottom line: - Access Denied uses one broker’s lived experience to spotlight how housing bias still shapes opportunity — and why representation in real estate still matters.