Betty Zane
Elizabeth "Betty" Zane, hero of Fort Henry. 1952-11. For more
information on Zane, see our "Time Trail, West Virginia" program,
bibliographical info from our Notable
West Virginians, and an article from West Virginia
History.
Louise McNeill Pease
Louise McNeill Pease. Pocahontas County native Louise McNeill Pease
was named poet laureate of West Virginia in 1978. Her poetry
collections and books include Gauley Mountain, Paradox Hill,
Elderberry Flood, and The Milkweed Ladies. Click
here for more
information.
Elizabeth Kee
Congresswoman Elizabeth Kee of Bluefield. On July 17, 1951,
Democrat Elizabeth Kee of Bluefield was elected to complete the
unexpired term of her husband, U.S. Representative John Kee, who
died on May 8, becoming the first woman in the state's history to
serve in Congress. Chase Ltd., Photo, Washington 6, D. C. Click
here to learn more about Kee.
Mother Jones
Fiery labor organizer Mary Harris "Mother" Jones. Click here to read a "Time Trail" program;
click here for bibliographical
information on Jones.
Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis and daughter Anna Jarvis.
Anna led a small tribute to her mother at Andrews Methodist Church
on May 12, 1907, and dedicated her life to establishing a
nationally recognized Mother's Day. The first official Mother's Day
ceremonies were held at Andrews Methodist in Grafton and the
Wanamaker Store Auditorium in Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. Six
years later, President Woodrow Wilson signed a Congressional
Resolution setting aside Mother's Day as a national holiday to be
celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Click here for bibliographical information, or
here for more on the founding
of Mother's Day.
Pearl S. Buck
Pocahontas County native Pearl Sydenstricker Buck, who won the
Nobel Prize for her book, The Good Earth. Click here to find research materials on
Buck.
"Mad Anne" Bailey (1742-1825)
Wearing buckskin pants and a petticoat, carrying a long rifle and
hunting knife, she distinguished herself as a scout and messenger
during the Revolutionary War. She is buried in the Point Pleasant,
West Virginia Battle Monument State Park. Click here for an article and bibliographical
information on Bailey.
Belle Boyd
Martinsburg native Belle Boyd, noted Confederate spy and author of
Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison. Ph78-1.10.2. Click here for a listing of books and articles on
Boyd available in the West Virginia State Archives
Library.
Harriet B. Jones
Dr. Harriet B. Jones was the first woman licensed physician in West
Virginia and one of the first women to serve in the West Virginia
Legislature. She was elected to the House of Delegates from
Marshall County in 1924, serving two terms. Ph78-1. Click here for a biographical sketch of
Jones.
Virginia Mae Brown
Brown was appointed Assistant Attorney General of West Virginia,
the first woman to hold that post. In 1961, she became the first
woman Insurance Commissioner in the state. Brown also became the
first woman to head a U.S. regulatory commission in 1969, when she
was named chair of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Ph88-17