CABELL COUNTY, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today made several stops in Cabell County focused on female empowerment, women in health, recovery, and education.
First, Senator Capito brought Marshall Health Chief Executive Officer Beth “Buffy” Hammers, and a medical student and a resident physician from Marshall University, to Barboursville Middle School as part of Senator Capito’s Girls Rise Up program. Students had the chance to hear about their personal experiences as female leaders, and learn more about the importance of having more women in the health care workforce. Click here for more details.
“Today marks our very first Girls Rise Up event with Marshall Health, and I was thrilled to have female trailblazer Buffy Hammers alongside me, as well as a medical student and resident physician from Marshall University who are excelling in their field,” Senator Capito said. “Young West Virginia girls need to know that they can achieve whatever they wish to accomplish if they set their mind to it, and these women are living proof of that. I’m confident that the Barboursville Middle School students will achieve success, and most importantly, build each other up every day.”
“Thank you to Senator Capito for making this a priority. I share her passion for empowering young women,” Buffy Hammers said. “These young ladies need to know they can do anything they put their minds to and that they have the power to make a difference. Both of my children attended Barboursville Middle School, so I appreciate the opportunity to share my story, and hopefully, inspire a new generation of female healthcare leaders right here in our community.”
Next, Senator Capito visited Project Hope for Women & Children in Huntington where she had the chance to tour the facility and meet with leaders from Marshall Health’s division of addiction sciences. Project Hope for Women & Children provides a stable and supportive environment for women and their children so they can work toward long-term recovery.
“I have said many times before that the City of Huntington should serve as model for other cities across America grappling with substance use. Project Hope for Women & Children is another important part of the community’s efforts to help save lives and curb addiction. I enjoyed visiting the facility today and learning more about how their programs, with the partnership of Marshall Health and the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, are helping women recover, develop healthy parenting skills, and build stronger and safer families,” Senator Capito said.
“Project Hope for Women and Children serves pregnant and parenting women who are experiencing substance misuse and provides the necessary supports for family reunification,” Lyn O’Connell, Ph.D., associate director of addiction sciences and assistant professor of family and community health at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall Health, said. “We are so thankful that Senator Capito took the time to learn about the successes of our program participants and the entire continuum of care that Marshall Health offers. State and federal support is essential to successfully serve West Virginia families.”
“On behalf of our families and staff at Project Hope for Women and Children, thank you, Senator Capito, for allowing us to share our story and for paving the way for substance use treatment for families and expectant mothers.” Jessica Tackett, director of Project Hope for Women & Children and Hope House at Marshall Health, said.
At the end of the day, Senator Capito spoke to a class of Marshall University students about politics, persuasion, and her career path.
Photos from today’s events are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Project Hope for Women & Children in Huntington, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks to students at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Marshall Health CEO Beth “Buffy” Hammers visit Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
# # #
