WHEELING, W.Va. (WV News) — U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., made stops in the Northern Panhandle Wednesday where she hosted a Girls Rise Up event at Bethlehem Elementary School and toured the Oglebay Good Zoo.
Capito launched the West Virginia Girls Rise Up program in 2015 to instill confidence in young West Virginia women and empower them to be strong and kind female leaders, according to a release from the senator's office.
The program focuses on three areas: education, fitness and self-confidence. Wednesday's program marks the 24th Girls Rise Up event overall.
“Today is the first in-person Girls Rise Up event we’ve been able to have since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I’m so glad to be here in Wheeling to help inspire the next generation of female leaders in our state," Capito said. "I’m confident the young girls at Bethlehem Elementary School will go on to be successful, and most importantly, build each other up each and every day. If they dedicate themselves and put their minds to it, there is nothing West Virginia girls cannot do.”
Following the Girls Rise Up program, Capito visited the Oglebay Good Zoo, meeting with staff members and touring several exhibits. The zoo hosted more than 1 million visitors during the holiday season in 2020, and this year will mark the 36th Festival of Lights, which began on Nov. 4.
“Families from all over the country come to the Good Zoo for the chance to be up close and personal with some of nature’s most interesting creatures, and for its popular animal encounters,” Capito said. “It’s a destination for folks year round, but especially during the Festival of Lights, one of the zoo’s signature attractions each winter.
"It was a pleasure touring the grounds today and meeting with the staff members who do such great conservation work, and maintain and improve the zoo for everyone to enjoy.”