Deaf activist/actress Marlee Matlin, Oscar winner for “Children of a Lesser God,” and most recently featured on “West Wing,” will give a speech at the Feb. 19 Allied Jewish Federation’s CHOICES Luncheon in Denver, CO. The event is an annual big-league funder for the group.

She replaces actress Goldie Hawn who had canceled all her upcoming talks through March due to a movie deal in India. Organizer Susan Kramer said, “The real stars of CHOICES are the women who gather to celebrate our Jewish community.” About 1,300 women are expected at the luncheon, the biggest turnout on record, beating the total for previous hit speakers Dr. Ruth and Joan Rivers.