Celebrating Anna Jo Haynes
“How are the children?” This is something that Anna Jo Haynes, lifelong early childhood advocate, champion, and trailblazer, has asked in communities across Colorado, the country, and the world.
Early Career and Leadership
Born in what is now the Auraria campus area of Denver, Anna Jo has spent almost her entire life in northeast Denver.
Early in her career, Anna Jo recognized the profound impact a strong start can have on children's lives. When a federal opportunity arose to bring Head Start to local communities, Anna Jo was at the forefront of the effort to bring the program to Denver.
Anna Jo went on to found the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, Denver’s oldest and largest provider of high-quality early care and education for low-income children and families. Now known as Mile High Early Learning, this program continues to serve a diverse population of families throughout Denver, providing children with:
- Access to high-quality child care,
- Nutritional Support
- Health Services
- Resources for families
Advocacy, Policy Impact, and Recognition
Throughout her life, Anna Jo has advocated for those without a voice, tirelessly working to convince everyone around her of the transformative impact of a strong early childhood. She co-founded the Colorado Children’s Campaign, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, data-driven child advocacy organization that has been the voice of children in Colorado for over 30 years.
Anna Jo was also a founding member and the third President of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, which continues to serve as the voice of women in Colorado.
Her advocacy has been recognized at the national level as well; she has received several national awards, including the Susan B. Anthony Award, the Hannah G. Solomon Award, and the YMCA’s Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award. In addition to advising mayors and governors in Colorado for decades, she served as a consultant to the White House Conference on Children and Youth, chair of the Congress of Racial Equality, and as a member of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues.
Anna Jo helped to create the Early Childhood Leadership Commission, which continues to serve as the guiding advisory council for early childhood in Colorado. She served as Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission for many years. Her powerful guidance and steady leadership led to legislation creating a new Department of Early Childhood, an act that proudly bore her name.
Anna Jo has recently been awarded two honorary degrees for her contributions to Colorado:
- An honorary Master’s in Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
- An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Colorado Denver.
Anna Jo’s legacy is truly nothing short of spectacular. We are grateful for Anna Jo’s visionary leadership in Colorado and thank her for everything she has done to help children and families thrive!
Learn more about 150/250 Celebrating Early Childhood Champions