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The West Virginia Women’s Commission, along with the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, hosted a celebration of West Virginia Women’s History Month on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Governor’s Reception Room in Charleston, West Virginia.

West Virginia Women’s Commission Interim Executive Director Julie Palas made opening remarks and introductions, and then First Lady Cathy Justice provided remarks about the importance of supporting and empowering West Virginia Women. First Lady Justice also read Governor Justice’s proclamation proclaiming March 2017 as Women’s History Month in West Virginia. After the First Lady’s remarks, Myisha Robinson of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs provided remarks on behalf of Dr. Bill White, who was not able to attend due to a death in the family. To close the event, Governor’s School for the Arts performers Jill Maynus (Capitol High School) and Jordan Harper (Nicholas County High School) performed original, hit songs by West Virginia artists Hazel Dickens and Kathy Mattea.

The event was short and sweet, but powerful. This event was held on International Women’s Day to honor Women’s History Month in West Virginia with the spirit of peace, unity and inspiration. It is vitally important for women to have a voice, and for them to be heard – politically, socially, economically, and individually – so that we can create a strong community, state and nation for our daughters, our mothers, our sisters and ourselves. That is what International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are all about.