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Jenn Kostka Beck
jbeck@unitedwaydenver.org
303-263-4561

Nearly 1,100 Attendees Celebrated the Unapologetic Strength of Women and Girls

DENVER – Mile High United Way raised $490,000 at the organization’s 26th annual Women United Luncheon at Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. The proceeds will support women and girls in Metro Denver, providing them with access to stable housing, new job opportunities, high-quality child care and more so they can pursue their dreams.

Nearly 1,100 attendees joined Mile High United Way President and CEO Christine Benero and award-winning actress and guest speaker Christine Baranski to celebrate the power of women and girls in our community. Over 26 years, the luncheon has raised over $5 million for Mile High United Way’s Women United Initiative.

“We have helped connect families to safe, stable housing; we have supported academic success for women and girls of all ages; and we’ve courageously dreamed of what we can achieve, unencumbered by phrases like ‘you can’t,’ or ‘that’s not possible,’ or ‘you shouldn’t,’” Benero said at the luncheon. “When you support Women United, you tell the women and girls of our community, ‘You matter. You have the power to change the world around you. You can be unapologetically true to yourself.’”

Mile High United Way also recognized a woman leader who has made a difference in the lives of women and families with the Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award. Wisebart Jacobs, known as Colorado’s Mother of Charity, was a dedicated leader who made an indelible mark on Colorado and was the driving force behind the creation of many of Colorado’s iconic institutions and organizations, including Mile High United Way, Jewish Family Service of Colorado and National Jewish Health.

The 2025 Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award recipient is Yun Hui Kehoe, a Denver community leader, wife, mother, philanthropist and businesswoman. For more than 20 years, Yun Hui has championed efforts, alongside Mile High United Way, to increase access to education and opportunities for women and girls. Yun Hui also volunteers with Florence Crittenton Services, Food Bank of the Rockies and Mile High United Way’s Tax Help Colorado program.

“To anyone watching who might feel out of place, you are not alone and your story matters,” Kehoe said. “Be unapologetic in your endeavors and never forget that your background is not a barrier but a bridge. I am proud to be a part of Mile High United Way’s community. We work together to make Denver a place of opportunity for everyone.”

In addition, attendees had the opportunity to hear from guest speaker Christine Baranski, a winner of an Emmy, two Tonys, a Screen Actors Guild Award, Drama Desk Award and American Comedy Award. As the formidable Diane Lockhart on The Good Wife, Baranski received six Emmy nominations.

Luisa Hernandez, participant of Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap program and foster youth advocate, shared her experience as a teenager after exiting Colorado’s foster care system and experiencing homelessness. Mile High United Way helped Luisa, now a mother of two young children, secure her first home and support her professional and personal growth.

“I wanted more for myself – to finish high school, get a different job and find my own home. But I didn’t know where to start,” Hernandez said. “Mile High United Way set me on a new path in life. I moved into my apartment. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. It was one of my very first ‘Wow, I did it!’ moments.”

The Women United Luncheon was presented by HCA HealthONE. The Speaker Sponsor was BOK Financial. The Frances Wisebart Jacobs Sponsor was PCL Construction. Strong Sponsors were Southwest Airlines and Empower. The Broadcast Sponsor was CBS Colorado and the Print Sponsor was 5280 Magazine. Confident Sponsors were CoBank, Davis Graham and Molson Coors Beverage Company. Determined Sponsors were Bank of Colorado, Congruex, Deloitte, Delta Dental of Colorado, EY, FirstBank, Catherine Hance, IMA Financial Group & Syntrinsic, Karen Kennedy, KeyBank, Kevin Neher, Northern Trust, Sullivan Financial Planning, Vectra Bank Colorado and Xcel Energy.

About Mile High United Way
Working side-by-side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint, including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families, and individuals in our community, so that all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more at unitedwaydenver.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayDenver.

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