The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women winner of the Delaware Woman of Impact honor for 2026 is Krista Henshaw, a nurse practitioner with Beebe Healthcare. Henshaw was recognized for her energy and passion to fight back against women’s greatest health threat.

While the large majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in women.

Over nine weeks, Woman of Impact nominees across the nation used their collective influence to raise critical dollars to help fund lifesaving research, education and programs to support the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all. Nominees educated women on their cardiovascular disease risks, shared the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR and each made a direct impact in their community. Locally, Henshaw recruited several corporate sponsors, secured designer handbags for the Delaware Bubbles and Bags handbag auction, and leveraged her personal relationships to raise a total of $19,925 to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.

“Thanks to the efforts of incredible leaders like Krista, we’re making strides to help all women in Delaware feel seen and heard when it comes to their health,” said Jim Murphy, executive director, American Heart Association, Delaware. “Together, we have the power to ensure more women are represented in research, have the information they need for heart health through every stage of life, and receive quality and timely care. The power of our community coming together creates better health outcomes for all of us.”

Women experience particular life stages, such as pregnancy and menopause, that can increase their risk of cardiovascular disease. Still, many instances of heart disease and stroke are preventable. The Woman of Impact campaign is part of the Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women movement, a comprehensive platform that has been increasing women’s heart health awareness and meeting the evolving health needs of women globally for more than two decades.

“It was important for me to participate in Woman of Impact because this fight is very personal to me. I lost both my parents to heart disease,” said Henshaw. “I am honored to have received this recognition and am excited to continue working alongside the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women to help more women know their risk factors and get the support they need to live longer, healthier lives.”

Henshaw is now one of 102 community-level Woman of Impact winners from across the country eligible for national recognition. The national winner will be announced in May. 

More than 44% of women over age 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Community leaders involved in Woman of Impact are paving the way for the future of women’s heart health, and enabling more women to live longer and healthier lives.