Speakers at the first HERStory in the Making held Thursday in Parkersburg were, from left: Alys Smith, wife of Marshall University President Brad Smith; Phylis Smith, an anchor at WTAP television in Parkersburg; Kathy Eddy of McDonough, Eddy, Parsons & Baylous in Parkersburg and Wood County Superintendent of Schools Christie Willis. The event was for 12th grade girls from local counties. Sponsors were the Marshall University Alumni Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the Wood County Commission. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The first HERStory in the Making, a conference empowering senior high school girls, was held Thursday at the Resiliency Center in Parkersburg.

The event, sponsored by the Marshall University Alumni Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the Wood County Commission, featured local female speakers and leaders to inspire young women to explore career paths, overcome challenges and believe in their ability to lead and succeed, organizer Laurie Martin, chairman of the alumni chapter, said.

“This was all for the girls,” Martin said. “It didn’t matter what their plans were for after graduation.”

About 120 girls attended the program from Wood County, Pleasants County, Doddridge County, Parkersburg Catholic and Wood County Christian, Martin said. Invitations went to all counties in the Mid-Ohio Valley, she said.

“They were amazing,” she said. “I was impressed by the girls in attendance.”

Christie Willis, superintendent of Wood County Schools, speaks to about 120 12th grade schools on Thursday at the first HERStory in the Making event at the Wood County Resiliency Center. (Photo Provided)

Speakers included Alys Smith, the wife of Marshall University President Brad Smith. Smith has created and supported programs empowering and advancing women’s leadership development.

The idea for HERstory in the Making was to create an experience similar to the Women Warriors Summit, an event founded by Smith, but tailored specifically for high school girls.

What began as a conversation months ago quickly turned into a full-scale event, Martin said. Another model program was the West Virginia Chamber Women’s Leadership Summit.

Also speaking were Phyllis Smith of WTAP television, Kathy Eddy of the accounting firm of McDonough, Eddy, Parsons & Baylous in Parkersburg and Wood County Superintendent of Schools Christie Willis. They offered insights on perseverance, leadership and career paths while staying true to oneself, Martin said.

Jill Parsons, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley was the host.

About 120 12th grade girls from high schools in the region attended HERStory in the Making this past Thursday in Parkersburg. The event was sponsored by the Marshall University Alumni Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the Wood County Commission. (Photo Provided)

Students also participated in a question-and-answer session allowing them to directly speak with the speakers and get advice on education, careers and life beyond high school.

“We had a wonderful lineup of speakers,” Martin said.

Thursday’s conference was the first. Plans have already started for the second event for 2027 with organizers discussing ways to improve the next, she said.

For more information, contact Martin at mualumnimovclub@yahoo.com.