BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today brought Marshall Health Chief Executive Officer Beth “Buffy” Hammers, and a medical student and a resident physician from Marshall University, to Barboursville Middle School to promote female empowerment, education, fitness, and self-confidence.
During the event, Senator Capito, Buffy Hammers, and the medical students—who both attended Barboursville Middle School—met with sixth grade female students 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. Today’s event marks the 27th event since the program’s launch in 2015.
“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 minds 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.”
“As the first female to be elected to the U.S. Senate from West Virginia, Senator Capito has been an inspiration to me personally. I welcomed the opportunity for her and Buffy, whose children were both our former students, to share their stories and the ‘Girls Rise Up’ Program with our sixth grade girls. Setting goals, believing in yourself, and hard work are all a part of our principles at Barboursville Middle School, so this program and their visit was a perfect fit,” Kerri Smith, Barboursville Middle School Principal, said.
Senator 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. The program focuses on three areas: education, fitness, and self-confidence.
Photos from today’s event are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) holds a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Marshall Health at Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) holds a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Marshall Health at Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) holds a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Marshall Health at Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) holds a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Marshall Health at Barboursville Middle School in Barboursville, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.
# # #