Melinda French Gates Honored with Josef Korbel Award at University of Denver

One of the world’s most prominent philanthropists and business leader Melinda French Gates recently delivered a powerful message to more than 400 attendees at the University of Denver’s annual Korbel Honors celebration. Speaking at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, she stressed on the point that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities and nations. “When a woman can step into her full power, it’s better for her, her children, her household, her community, and her country,” she told the audience.

Melinda French Gates honoured with Josef Korbel Award

French Gates was honoured with the Josef Korbel Award, which recognises individuals who embody the values of the school’s founder — using knowledge to make the world more just and peaceful. Past recipients include journalist Judy Woodruff and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Dean Frederick “Fritz” Mayer praised French Gates’ decades of work advancing global health, gender equity, and women’s economic power, calling her efforts a model of Korbel’s mission.

French Gates on the importance of women centric philanthropy

Reflecting on her career, at the Gates Foundation, French Gates noted that the time period taught her the importance of centering women in philanthropy. She also cited many examples like drought-resistant seeds in Africa, which fail to reach their full potential if women farmers cannot access them. “If we didn’t focus on gender, we were basically missing half the equation,” she said. Her present organisational, Pivotal which was launched ion 2025, invests in underrepresented entrepreneurs, advocates for paid family leave, and supports women in public office. French Gates highlighted how women lawmakers often collaborate across party lines on issues like education, offering hope for bipartisan solutions in a polarized U.S. French Gates further emphasised that philanthropy must be strategic, which means that each dollar should be leveraged and further encourage the businesses and governments to contribute. She also raised concerns about the state of US politics, saying she is saying she is funding organizations that aim to restore centrist, bipartisan democracy. “The question is, ‘Are we creating the future we want for this country?’” she asked.

French Gates urged students to get involved in causes

In her closing remarks, French Gates urged students to get involved in causes they care about, noting that making a difference doesn’t always require money. “One person does make a difference in the life of someone else; it doesn’t always have to be big,” she said. She encouraged attendees to use their intellect, time, and skills to support local communities.