WILLIAMSTOWN - The mayor of Williamstown has been named to the West Virginia Women's Commission by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
Mayor Jean Ford said she is honored to be appointed.
"It's pretty neat," Ford said. "I'm really very honored to be asked to serve on this commission."
The mission of the 10-person commission is to promote and empower West Virginia women, advocacy, research, education and consensus building.
"The organization advocates for women's issues, women's rights, research and education," Ford said. "I am very excited to be part of this."
Also named to the commission were Barbara Early Kyle and Kathleen McDermott. Their appointments were immediately effective.
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Williamstown Mayor Jean Ford said she is honored to serve on the West Virginia Women's Commission after being appointed by the governor Thursday.
The 10-member commission works to promote the status and empowerment of women in the state through advocating for women's rights, research and education.
Tomblin said he was pleased Ford, Kyle and McDermott have accepted the appointments.
"I have the utmost respect for West Virginia's women," he said. "I look forward to working with each of them.
"I commend the dedicated members of the West Virginia Women's Commission for working hard, keeping women's issues at the forefront and collaborating with me to protect women's rights," Tomblin said.
Ford, the only elected official on the commission, will succeed former women's commission member Gina Dahlia as she begins work with the other members in the organization.
"I look forward to doing what I can to help women throughout the state," Ford said.
Ford said she has often thought of wanting to work for groups and individuals throughout the state, but was not sure if she wanted to seek a regional or statewide elective position.
"I never thought I would get an appointment to get to work for people throughout West Virginia," the longtime mayor said. "This appointment will give me an opportunity to reach outside of my community to do more."
Kyle, of Daniels, will serve as the chairman of the commission as she succeeds Kathie Williams. Kyle is active in her community and has served on several boards, including Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and Special Olympics of West Virginia.
McDermott is the executive director of Oglebay Institute in Wheeling and succeeds Kelly Davis.
The West Virginia Women's Commission is preparing to host the National Association of Commissions for Women's Conference in July in Charleston.
Ford said she is looking forward to her first meeting on the commission June 19.
"I'm excited to see what we are working on and how I can help," she said.
