MEDIA RELEASE 2024 – shortened from original.
Press inquiries, contact:
Melissa Rain, CWHF Board of Directors PR@cogreatwomen.org
562-536-7053
DENVER, CO– The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame proudly announces the Class of 2024, a group embodying the essence of Women, Wisdom, and Wonder. This year’s honorees include a pioneering entrepreneur, a champion for childhood education, a distinguished economist and former President of the University of Colorado System, a leader in childhood empowerment, a groundbreaking neonatology specialist, a visionary in nurse recruitment, a committed nonprofit executive advancing social justice, and a transformative attorney and judge. Their profound impacts extend beyond their fields, shaping Colorado’s history and inspiring generations with their steadfast leadership. They epitomize the spirit that fills us all with pride in calling Colorado our home.
This diverse cohort of sixteen women spans eras in Colorado’s history and has made significant contributions across various sectors. Through their leadership and trailblazing accomplishments, they demonstrate resilience and determination. Beyond their achievements, they have been catalysts for progress and champions of women’s empowerment—serving as beacons of inspiration for everyone.
Yesterday, on July 18th, 2024, we unveiled these members at the Molly Brown House Museum—a landmark steeped in Colorado’s rich history that provided an ideal setting for our festivities. This special event coincided with Margaret “Molly” Brown’s birthday, an individual in our Hall known for her courage, intelligence, and strength, which reflect the qualities of all our honorees. The introduction of the Class of 2024 marks a moment that highlights the importance and enduring influence of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame—a legacy we’re proud to uphold, celebrating the resilience and accomplishments of Colorado women throughout history.
Barb Beckner, Chairperson of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, shared her excitement by stating, “Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame is committed to honoring and preserving the legacies of Colorado women from the past to the present.” Looking ahead to our activities in 2025, we are excited to present the 16 women from the Class of 2024 who will be joining the ranks alongside the 189 women already recognized in our Hall. Through storytelling and acknowledging history, our aim at the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame is to enrich society and motivate pioneers in Colorado.
The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame expresses gratitude to our supporters—the El Pomar Foundation, Chevron, Goldstone Partners, and Trinity Partners—and acknowledges with appreciation the support from the Molly Brown House Museum for making this event possible and memorable. We would also like to express our appreciation to our media partners: Kimball Productions, Denver Urban Spectrum,Veterans Life Magazine and La Voz, for collaborating with us to amplify the impact of the remarkable stories of our honorees. Your assistance is truly priceless in enabling us to highlight these women and inspire generations.
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Women, Wisdom, and Wonder on March 21, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Denver! This gala event is part of our 40th anniversary festivities for the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, where we’ll be highlighting our new 16 inductees. Let’s honor their achievements and celebrate their enduring impact together. For event details, please get in touch with Melissa Rain at PR@cogreatwomen.org.
The 2024 Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees:
Dusti Gurule
Gurule has been a cultural leader in reproductive justice, civic engagement, and advocacy for 25 years. Born into a family of activists, she was instilled with the importance of justice, equity, and dignified treatment of everyone. Dusti’s family has been in Colorado for at least six generations, beginning in the San Luis Valley. Her family values led to a lifetime of activism, justice, and advocacy. Dusti served as the founding Executive Director of the Latina Initiative in 2004. This organization is nationally recognized and supports civic engagement and political leadership, amplifying Latina voices across Colorado.
