Blog Archives

25 Apr

Jessie Valenti speaks at NARAL Pro-Choice Gala

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NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado’s 33rd Annual Gala & Silent Auction was a certified hit. Held at the Westin Hotel in downtown Denver it proved to be the event of the night. After all, the event and organization is about women. And, every one loves women.

With the fundraising season in full swing the event welcomed the hundreds of people who strive daily to make a difference for Pro-Choice Colorado. The turn-out was impressive. Honoring the battle cry for, “Women’s Equality Requires Freedom of Choice.” The program was designed not to push buttons but to bring awareness to unintended pregnancies.

Bringing the crises of unintended pregnancies to the forefront, Mayor Hancock praised NARAL for their outstanding work.  Stating with pride, “Through their diligence, there has been a 60% decrease in unintended pregnancies in Denver and 40% throughout Colorado.” Sen Michael Bennet and Rep Diana DeGette noted the complicated bills they’re working on in Washington can be easily misinterpreted yet, both continue to fight for a woman’s choice.

The list of people who were there to support women were Denver’s Mayor Michael Hancock; U.S. Senator Michael Bennet; Congresswoman Diana DeGette; Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst; State Representative Jonathan Singer and Jessie Danielson; Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll; State Representatives Steve Lebsock, Angela Williams, Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Rhonda Fields, and KC Becker; the Honorable Elbra Wedgeworth and the Honorable Mike Cerbo; Senator Rollie Heath and feminine movers and shakers such as Anne Murdaugh and Jessica Valenti.

Valenti, the keynote speaker, is the author of four books and was named in “a top 100 women,” by “The Guardian.”  She’s been called an inspiration by Gloria Steinem for her work to bring the feminist movement online.

Folks congregated around the silent auction tables until they were shooed into the ballroom for dinner and the program. Lots of generous businesses and individuals assured an abundance of donated items from original art, custom jewelry, a wall of wine, a wall of beer as well, a trip to Hawaii, a power lunch with Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and  Andrew Romanoff, Mark Ferrandino and Terrance Carroll. There was a heavenly week in Grand Lake open to the highest bidder, a weekend in a Denver Loft, and the ultimate, a South African Safari package for two.

For more information on NARAL Colorado, NARAL ProChoice Colorado, contact them at 303-394-1973 or visit 1905 Sherman Street, Suite 800, Denver 80203. www.prochoicecolorado.org

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30 Apr

JFS Hosts legend Archie Manning

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It’s evident that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree when looking at where Peyton and Eli Manning got their talent and initiative.

Their father Archie Manning, a football star and motivational speaker in his own rite, came to Denver for the 10th annual Jewish Family Service Executive Luncheon on Wednesday.

The sold out crowd enjoyed listening to the Manning family stories, including the fact that eldest brother Cooper was actually the most talented athletically (is that possible??) but had to retire from football because of health reasons. Archie took the stage to great applause, limping a little bit and told the crowd he’d be getting knee surgery soon. “My offensive line wasn’t as good as Peyton’s,” he quipped.

He had a poignant message that leadership and goals make all the difference in life, quoting several famous people who agreed with that sentiment. “If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them,” Archie quoted Yogi Berra as saying.

Also talking about goals and working hard to make it in life was Veronica Huerta, who started out her young adult life full of drugs and bad habits. Through perseverance and a driving goal to be there for her twin boys, Veronica told of how Jewish Family Service helped her get back on her feet and pursue a successful career. She’s “living the dream” now, with a husband and family who loves her, a good job, her own house, and peace of mind.

Jewish Family Service believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis.

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06 Feb

Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Awards

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The 2014 Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Awards ceremony took place at the Denver Art Museum on Thursday, February 6th.  Guests arrived at 5:30 pm for a reception, followed by the award program at 6 pm.  Guests were welcomed by Andrea Shpall, the board chair for the ADL Mountain States Region.  Holly Stein Sollod, co-chair of the ADL Civil Rights Committee, then introduced past honorees and dignitaries.  Scott Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, addressed attendees with the Director’s Message, reflecting on the work the ADL has accomplished over the past year, but reminding guests that there remains work to be done. The first recipient of the 2014 Civil Rights Award, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Mark Ferrandino, was introduced by Co-Chair Daniel McKenzie for spearheading the passage of same sex civil unions in Colorado.  Fran and Anna Simon then came to the podium with their son, Jeremy, to describe how Mark Ferrandino’s tireless efforts to secure the passage of civil unions affected their family. The second 2014 Civil Rights Award was Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) and its leadership, President Stephen M. Jordan and Board Chair Robert Cohen, introduced by Co-Chair Monica Rosenbluth.  MSU and its leadership was recognized for providing a path for undocumented students who attended high school in Colorado to attend the University at a special tuition rate.  Student Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo addressed the attendees with her personal story and how MSU has made it possible for her to follow her dreams of getting her college degree. For more information about ADL and how you can get involved, log on to http://denver.adl.org.

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