Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame names Class of 2027

The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2027 on July 22 in Denver, honoring 11 inductees as Colorado marks 150 years of statehood. The class includes founder M.L. Hanson and women recognized for leadership in health care, education, science, public service, media and advocacy.

Why it matters: - The Class of 2027 expands the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame’s roster to 205 honorees. - The inductees reflect leadership that has shaped Colorado in education, health care, science, public service, media and advocacy. - The announcement comes during Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood, giving the class added historical weight. - The Hall also used the class to honor founder M.L. Hanson, tying the current slate to the organization’s origins.

What happened: - The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame announced the Class of 2027 on July 22, 2026, at IMA Financial Group in Denver. - The Hall selected 11 inductees: 9 contemporary honorees and 2 historical honorees. - The class theme is “Dream Big.” - The inductees will be formally honored at the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Gala on March 26, 2027. - Businesses, organizations and community leaders are being invited to support the gala through sponsorships, corporate tables and attendance.

The details: - Contemporary inductees are Janine Davidson, Lucille EchoHawk, M.L. Hanson, Florence Hernández-Ramos, Rebecca Love Kourlis, Leslie Leinwand, Margaret A. “Peggy” Lemone, Donna Lynne, Gail Schwartz and Diane T. Wendt. - Historical inductees are Joyce Porter Arneill, Betty Jennings and Marcy Morrison. - Janine Davidson is a former Air Force pilot, the first woman to fly the tactical C-130 and a former 32nd Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy. - Davidson has led Metropolitan State University of Denver since 2017. - Lucille EchoHawk has spent more than four decades advancing Native American child welfare and philanthropy. - EchoHawk co-founded the Denver Indian Center, the Denver Indian Family Resource Center and Native Americans in Philanthropy. - M.L. Hanson founded the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984 after breaking barriers in banking and nonprofit leadership. - Florence Hernández-Ramos founded Denver’s KUVO jazz public radio station and became the nation’s first Latina president and general manager of a jazz public radio station. - Rebecca Love Kourlis, a former Colorado Supreme Court Justice, founded the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver. - Leslie Leinwand’s research advanced understanding of inherited heart disease and cardiovascular health. - Leinwand co-founded Myogen and MyoKardia, companies whose work led to the first FDA-approved cardiac myosin inhibitor for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. - Margaret A. “Peggy” Lemone was the first woman to become a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. - Donna Lynne served as Colorado’s 49th lieutenant governor and first chief operating officer, then became CEO of Denver Health. - Lynne led the successful 2024 ballot measure that secured the future of Denver Health, Colorado’s largest safety-net health system. - Gail Schwartz served two terms in the Colorado State Senate and sponsored the BEST Act to fund rural school construction. - Diane T. Wendt served as the University of Denver’s first director of women’s athletics and worked as a national advocate for Title IX. - Joyce Porter Arneill co-founded the National Federation of Republican Women and served as its first president. - Betty Jennings helped establish legal, licensed nurse-midwifery in Colorado. - Marcy Morrison was the first woman elected to the Manitou Springs School Board and later served as an El Paso County commissioner, state representative, mayor of Manitou Springs and Colorado insurance commissioner.

Between the lines: - The Hall is pairing contemporary leaders with historical figures to show how women’s influence in Colorado spans generations. - The theme “Dream Big” frames the class as both a celebration and a call to public service, leadership and institutional change. - The inductees’ backgrounds suggest the Hall is emphasizing impact that is civic, scientific and cultural, not just political or corporate. - Executive Director Barb Beckner said the class shows that achievements begin with the courage to dream big and can expand opportunities for future generations.

What’s next: - The Hall will recognize the Class of 2027 at the March 26, 2027 induction gala. - The organization is seeking event support from sponsors, corporate tables and attendees. - More information is available through the Hall’s social channels, including LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame is using its 2027 class to honor women whose work changed Colorado’s institutions, communities and cultural life, while marking a major state milestone.