West Virginia Women's Commission

Jill Upson for WV, Director of the WV Women’s Commission, joined U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and actress Halle Berry for a roundtable discussion at the Kanawha County Public Library on the critical issue of menopause care.

Senator Capito and Halle Berry, advocates for the bipartisan Advancing Menopause and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act, highlighted the importance of improving menopause care and increasing federal research and awareness. The discussion also covered the broader implications of the bill for health care providers, stressing the need for enhanced training and education in menopause care. Currently, only 30% of U.S. residency programs offer a formal menopause curriculum, leaving many doctors unprepared to address this crucial aspect of women’s health.

This legislation aims to address menopause with the seriousness it deserves and ensure comprehensive support for women across the state.

Did you know that August is National Wellness Month? 🪷

To learn more about the upcoming Minority Health events and other wellness information you can visit the Minority Health Institute website attached below.

🔗https://www.marshall.edu/minorityhealthinstitute/

The West Virginia Women's Commission (WVWC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Legacy of Women Awards, honoring exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the state and the nation.

The 2024 Legacy of Women Awards ceremony will be held on August 16, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, 400 2nd Avenue SW, Charleston, WV 25303. The event will take place in conjunction with West Virginia Women’s Equality Day, celebrating the anniversary of when women were guaranteed the right to vote.

The awards are named after trailblazing women in West Virginia’s history, each of whom made significant strides in various fields, from education and labor activism to government service and the arts. This year’s honorees have continued this legacy of excellence and service, and the WVWC is proud to recognize their achievements.

The 2024 Legacy of Women Award Winners are:

Margi Bush – The Lena Lowe Yost “Educating Women” Award
For outstanding efforts in educating women about their personal abilities and strengths, in the spirit of Lena Lowe Yost, one of West Virginia’s foremost suffragists.

Amanda Weiss McComas – The Helaine Rotgin “Mountaineer Spirit” Award For exceptional volunteer work at the grassroots level, reflecting the pioneering community spirit of Helaine Rotgin.

Dominique Ranieri – The Susan Dew Hoff “Business or Professional Job Pioneer” Award For her trailblazing role in a non-traditional professional job, in the tradition of Susan Dew Hoff, West Virginia’s first licensed female physician.

Jane Tabb – The Mildred Mitchell-Bateman “Government and Public Service” Award For outstanding public service, following the path of Mildred Mitchell-Bateman, the first African-American woman to hold a high-ranking office in West Virginia state government.

Sarah Bryan – The Sarah ‘Mother’ Blizzard “Labor Activist” Award
For her relentless advocacy for workers’ rights, inspired by the tireless activism of Sarah ‘Mother’ Blizzard in the early days of the United Mine Workers of America.

MaryLouise King and Gina Milum – The Ann Kathryn Flagg “Artist or Art Supporter” Award For their contributions to the arts, echoing the achievements of Ann Kathryn Flagg, a playwright, teacher, and actress who broke barriers in the arts.

L. Keryl Rustin – The Rose Gacioch “Sports Champion” Award
For her pioneering role in women’s sports, carrying on the legacy of Rose Gacioch, a star of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Elice Hunley – The Elizabeth Mason Harden Gilmore “Diversity, Equality and Inclusion” Award For promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion, in the spirit of Elizabeth Gilmore, a civil rights leader and businesswoman.

Betty Cardwell Spencer – The Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson “Women Making History” Award For her lifetime achievements and contributions to aeronautics and space programs, honoring the groundbreaking work of Katherine Johnson, an influential mathematician whose story was depicted in the film “Hidden Figures.”

For more information about the WVWC, visit https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week by supporting local growers and enjoying fresh, seasonal produce! Don't forget, West Virginia Summer EBT can be used at farmers markets. Visit your nearest farmers market and share your finds with !

Congratulations to Paige Fox of Camp Creek, WV, for being named the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia for 2025! As a senior at PikeView High School, Paige will represent our great state at the national scholarship program in Mobile, Alabama. Her journey embodies the principles of "Be Your Best Self," inspiring the next generation with her dedication, talent, and ambition. Best of luck, Paige!

PikeView High School senior named the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia CAMP CREEK, WV (WVNS) — A senior at PikeView High School was chosen as the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia for 2025. Paige Fox, of Camp Creek, was named the Distinguished Young Wom…

Did you know that Hepatitis B and C affects women differently than men? Today, we raise awareness for viral hepatitis. For more information, visit https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/viral-hepatitis #:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20acute%20(short,protect%20the%20liver%20from%20damage.&text=Menstrual%20cycles.

Reminder: July's Talk and Tea is tomorrow, July 26, 2024, at 12 PM. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from our inspiring keynote speaker, Regina K. Woodcock (Mel), MA, IMH-E, the dynamic Director of WV Birth to Three. https://meet.google.com/nfw-wrkb-yez

Speaker Bio:
WV Birth to Three provides services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and their families under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Mel holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education and is endorsed by the WV Infant Toddler Mental Health Association at the Policy level. Before accepting the position of director in June of 2023, Mel served as the CSPD and Policy Coordinator for the program for twenty years during which she provided training at the regional, state, and national levels on evidenced-based early intervention practices. Over the course of her 40-year career, Mel has worked as a Developmental Specialist, Preschool Special Needs Teacher, Head Start Mental Health Consultant, and as an administrator of a regional early intervention program. When not at work, Mel spends her free time weaving, knitting, hiking, practicing Tai Chi, and meditating.

Join the WVWC for July's Talk and Tea on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. for information and insights into West Virginia's Birth to Three program. Learn about the program's benefits and challenges in an engaging discussion. https://meet.google.com/nfw-wrkb-yez

The SNAP E&T program allows SNAP participants to grow skill sets that will set them up for success. If you are interested in the SNAP E&T program, contact your SNAP worker and request to be referred to the E&T program.

We celebrate Emily's incredible achievement and look forward to cheering her on in this historic journey. WV women continue to break barriers and inspire future generations.

Morgantown native to become the first West Virginia woman in space Morgantown native and host of Netflix’s “Emily’s Wonder Lab,” Emily Calandrelli announced Tuesday that she will soon become the first woman from West Virginia to become an a…

Submissions are due today, July 15, 2024. Email nominations to [email protected] or mail them to 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E., Room 9-R, Charleston, WV 25305. Nomination forms can be found at https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/legacy_of_women_awards.html.

Don't wait! There is still time to submit nominations for the 2024 Legacy of Women Awards. Submissions are due July, 15, 2024. Email nominations to [email protected] or mail 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E., Room 9-R, Charleston, WV 25305. Nomination forms can be found at https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/legacy_of_women_awards.html.

The West Virginia Women's Commission and all state offices are closed today, July 4, 2024, in observance of Independence Day.

Congratulations to Kaleigh Wetzel, the first female deputy in Harrison County's history! We celebrate her and all women breaking barriers in West Virginia.

First female deputy hired in Harrison County - WV MetroNews Swearing-in ceremony set for Tuesday.

There are nine amazing categories for the 2024 Legacy of Women Awards. Nominations are still open, closing July 15, 2024. Nomination forms can be found at https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/legacy_of_women_awards.html. To submit a nomination, email [email protected] or mail to 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E., Room 9-R, Charleston, WV 25305.

Happy ! Today, we celebrate all the amazing women who are in the engineering fields. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

The West Virginia Women's Commission and all state offices are closed today, June 20, 2024, in observance of West Virginia Day.

The West Virginia Women's Commission and all state offices are closed today, June 19, 2024, in observance of Juneteenth.

Happy to all the incredible dads!

As we honor Women Veterans Day, it is important to know how female Veterans can be supported. Visit these resources at https://veterans.wv.gov/Pages/WomenVeterans.aspx to learn more.

Happy to all the brave women who have fought for our country. We appreciate you today and everyday. Thank you for your service!

Ladies, your health is important! Today, take a moment to schedule that long-overdue check-up. Regular visits to your doctor are crucial for staying on top of your health. Don't wait—prioritize yourself today!

For more information on how to apply for Medicaid, West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program, or private insurance at the Health Insurance Marketplace, visit http://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Members/Apply/Pages/default.aspx.

Today is . For some this may be harder than others for insurance reasons. If this applies to you, then you may be eligible for Medicaid. To learn more, visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/Members/Apply/Pages/default.aspx.

Nominations are now open for this year's Legacy of Women Awards. Nomination forms can be found at https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/legacy_of_women_awards.html. Submissions are due by July 15, 2024.

The West Virginia Women’s Commission (WVWC) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Legacy of Women Awards. These prestigious awards are given to women who have been outstanding role models as women achievers for tomorrow’s female leaders. These women have contributed to shaping our amazing state or nation.

The Legacy of Women Award is broken into nine different categories with nine different awards: Educating Women, Mountaineer Spirit, Business or Professional Job Planner, Government and Public Service, Labor Activist, Artist or Arts Supporter, Sports Champion, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, and Women Making History. Submissions should include a brief description of the nominee’s accomplishments that relate to one or more categories, a biography, photo, and any related media or articles.

“It is such a pleasure to have this opportunity to recognize and honor West Virginia women who are making a positive impact in our wonderful state,” said Jill Upson, West Virginia Women’s Commission Director. “I look forward to receiving all of the nominations for these prestigious awards.”

Nominations must be submitted by July 15, 2024. The nomination form can be found on the WVWC’s website, https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvwc/legacy_of_women_awards.html. Submissions can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to WVWC at 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Room 9-R, Charleston, West Virginia 25305. The 2024 Legacy of Women Awards ceremony will be held at the Holiday Inn Suites at 400 Second Avenue Southwest, Charleston, West Virginia 25303, on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Reminder: This Month's WVWC Talk & Tea

Join us virtually tomorrow, May 30, 2024, at noon for Talk & Tea. Our guest speaker is Melissa Thompson, Vice-President and Professional Engineer at Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP. Go to https://meet.google.com/rqm-cmjr-eww to join the event.

Sojourner Truth spoke at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio on May 29, 1851. Today, we get to honor Sojourner Truth and all of the outstanding accomplishments she has made for women's rights and equality.

The WV Women's Commission invites you to chat with this month's special guest, Melissa Thompson, Vice-President and Professional Engineer at Whitman, Requardt & Associates, LLP, at our monthly Talk & Tea event 🗣☕️. To join the conversation on Thursday, May 30, at noon. To join the conversation on Thursday click the link: https://meet.google.com/rqm-cmjr-eww

The West Virginia Women's Commission and all state offices are closed today, May 27, 2024, in honor of Memorial Day.