FAIRMONT — Professionals gathered at the Mon Power Research Center on Friday for a Lunch and Learn event with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
Sponsored by the Women’s Network of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, the Lunch and Learn event drew local professionals in the area for a sit-down lunch and discussion with Capito, R-W.Va.
Saira Blair, the youngest holder of an office elected in the United States, kicked off the event by greeting attendants. Blair was elected to serve as delegate in the 59th district of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2014. She’s the youngest elected legislator in the United States.
“I’m so proud to know that for once the country is watching West Virginia for something really, really great,” Blair said. “That’s so wonderful, and I think we’re finally starting to turn over some of the stereotypes that we have. People are starting to realize that West Virginia is in touch with the rest of the country, and we’re doing everything we can to build ourselves up and to prove to people that we have such wonderful people in this state. We have wonderful students and a wonderful workforce.”
The event focused on women empowerment in West Virginia and the country.
“When you get on the floor, it’s a set of equals,” Capito said. “It’s incumbent on me to express my opinion, my thoughts, advocate for you as West Virginians just as powerfully as it is for any man sitting there.”
Capito spoke about empowering younger women and inspiring them by public service. She spoke of her organization, West Virginia Girls Rise Up, which aims to empower fifth-grade girls and inspire them with other female public servants.
The senator started by addressing energy and said she wanted energy legislation with more “common sense.”
“I’m certainly pro-renewable (energy), but if we don’t have our base line, base load of coal and natural gas, we’re missing a great opportunity to really power America and keep us as that global leader,” she said.
A hot topic was the heroin and opioid epidemic affecting West Virginia.
“We’ve just completed some work on an issue that is extremely troubling in this state and across the nation, and that is the rise of heroin addiction and opioid abuse,” Capito said. “I’m sure you see it in your own neighborhoods. You see it in your own families, your churches. Nobody is untouched.”
Attendants asked Capito questions about education, the heroin epidemic and even her life. When asked about the 2016 presidential election, she said it was “inexplicable.”
“I didn’t endorse anybody, and I’m not going to,” she said. “I will support the Republican nominee.”
Capito added that the media are focusing on negative aspects of this campaign instead of positive aspects. She said she was pleased more people were voting in the primary elections.
The senator praised all attendants for participating in the Lunch and Learn session and said she was proud of women in West Virginia.
“What you’re doing with empowering, educating, enhancing is really good,” Capito said. “It’s great to see so many bright women leaders here in the area.”