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‘A Community Conversation With West Virginia Women’ draws crowd to War Memorial Building

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Aug 9, 2024

West Virginia House of Representatives District 97 candidate Lucia Valentine talks to the audience, as Jefferson County Commission candidate Natalie Grantham Friend, center, and West Virginia House of Representatives District 100 candidate Maria Russo listen to her, in the War Memorial Building on Aug. 1. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Around 100 local residents filled the seats in the ballroom of the War Memorial Building on Aug. 1, ready to share their concerns with three women running for office in the General Election on Nov. 5.

“A Community Conversation With West Virginia Women” began with a comment period by West Virginia House of Representatives District 97 candidate Lucia Valentine, Jefferson County Commission candidate Natalie Grantham Friend and West Virginia House of Representatives District 100 candidate Maria Russo.

“For the past few years, I worked in the state capitol as a legislative advocate, helping to pass legislation in a bipartisan way, that protects the health of West Virginia’s people and resources,” Valentine said. “I’m running for office, because of the love I have for my community here in the Eastern Panhandle.

“I grew up right here in Shepherdstown. I graduated from Jefferson High School and Shepherd University,” Valentine said. “I am here to stay, because I want to ensure that the people, the workers and the families of District 97 have the opportunity to live, work and thrive here for generations to come. No folks my age should feel like they have to leave the state to get a better life, to have a job, to start their careers and their families.”

Her fellow candidates, who also grew up locally, echoed similar sentiments.

Kaitlyn Fydenkevez, of Martinsburg, talks about the statewide lack of perinatal care in the War Memorial Building on Aug. 1. Tabitha Johnston

“We do not have local opportunities for those between the ages of 19 and 35,” Friend said.

She then focused on issues that she hopes to fix in the county and its governing authority, if elected to the Jefferson County Commission.

“What we’re seeing now in this county is not sustainable, and if allowed to continue, the unsupported growth will destroy the rural nature of our community,” Friend said. “I am committed to leveraging my experience to advocate for a balanced local government that is answering to the community — where families, farmers and small business owner can all succeed.”

Russo then took a moment to discuss her own optimism over the future of West Virginia.

“I really do believe in a brighter future for our state and the people who are here,” Russo said. “We need more women and more young people to run for office, to take on leadership roles, so that we all can be represented on every level of government. The people of District 100 and West Virginia deserve to have leaders who care about their needs and are ready to put those needs — of the people — first. And that’s exactly why we’re here tonight — to listen to your needs, your biggest challenges and your visions!”

Retired Jefferson County magistrate Gail Boober moderated the event, during which audience members brought up state and county issues related to the foster care crisis; low wages; inadequate childcare and perinatal care options; poor drinking water quality; and lack of heavy industry zoning regulations.

For Shepherdstown resident Jay Mansfield, the forum only confirmed his thoughts on who he would be voting for in November.

“I believe in women in power, and the reason why is because the men have kind of screwed it up,” Mansfield said, with a chuckle. “I’ve been married for 41 years. My wife taught me that it’s not enough to be right — it has to feel right, also. That’s foreign to men — they don’t understand it — I didn’t understand it. Women can feel and think at the same time. I think that is important in government, because we have a lot of solutions out there for women and children, but they don’t feel right.”

Another audience member, Charles Town City Council member Elizabeth Ricketts, highlighted another reason why voters should consider supporting the candidates who hosted the forum.

“You would be shocked at the number of decisions that impact all of us, that are made in rooms that women aren’t in,” Ricketts said. “For me, it’s about showing up in these rooms and putting a different voice in the mix and saying, ‘Hey, that sounds like a terrible idea. Let’s reconsider.'”

To learn more about the candidates, follow Friend’s campaign at www.natalieforwv.com, Russo’s campaign at www.russo4wv.com and Valentine’s campaign at valentineforwv.com.