Anna Jo Haynes

Anna Jo Garcia Haynes (born April 18, 1934) is a former educator in Colorado who specialized in early childhood education. She was instrumental in early childhood education development in Colorado, where she founded the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers in Denver, founded the Mile High Montessori Early Learning Centers, co-founded Colorado Children's Campaign, and has been recognized by many organizations in Colorado including the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.

Biography Anna Jo Garcia Haynes was born on April 18, 1934 in Denver, Colorado. Her parents divorced, and their family had to use the support of public assistance. She is Latina and Native American, and was born in northeast Denver, where the Auraria campus now sits. Her family moved around northeast Denver often. She attended Mitchell Elementary, Cole Middle School, and graduated from Manual High School.

Haynes received a scholarship from Manual High School to attend Colorado Women's College. She wanted to give back to the community that had supported her, so she started working for the city in the parks and recreation department.

Early childhood education She started her career as a teacher, but she wanted to stay home with her children. She began to look after her neighbors' children, and got licensed to have a day care in her home. After experiencing discrimination because of her Latina and Native American heritage, her interracial marriage, and her multiracial children, she got involved with The Congress of Racial Equality.

She began the Mile High Child Care, which is now known as Mile High Early Learning.

Nonprofit administration In addition to educating, Haynes has been involved in nonprofit administration and has developed or sat on boards for many organizations in Colorado.

She was the executive director, and is still founder and President Emeritus, of Mile High Early Learning Centers, which were incorporated in 1972. She was a founding mother and the third president Women's Foundation of Colorado.

Personal life When she married her husband, they had to travel to New Mexico because he was Black, and miscegenation was illegal.

Mile High United Way created an award named for her, the "Anna Jo Haynes Caring about Kids Award".

Awards 2015, Community Impact Award to Anna Jo Haynes family, including daughters Mary, Happy, and Khadija, from Metro Volunteers 2016, Colorado Women's Hall of Fame Inductee 2022, Women of Distinction Gold, from Girl Scouts of Colorado 2022, Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award from the Mile High United Way 2023, honorary Master's in Education, Metropolitan State University Denver 2023, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Colorado Denver