Alice Harris, executive vice president of finance and administration at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, answers a question during the morning session of The Climb Symposium. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia University at Parkersburg hosted “The Climb Symposium: A Celebration of Women’s History Month” as part of National Women’s History Month on Tuesday at the school.

The symposium had two panel discussions with local women in academia, government and media.

The Peggy Adams Gilmer Memorial Book Award, a $500 award and named in honor of WVU-P President Chris Gilmer’s mother, was presented to Miranda Reed, a senior in legal studies at WVU-P. She is the treasurer of the Student Government Association, president of the Legal Studies Society and president of the Wood County Collegiate 4-H Club. The award will be presented annually to a student to cover textbook-related costs.

“Mom’s favorite novelist was Ayn Rand,” said Gilmer. “A favorite quote of hers was ‘The question isn’t who’s going to let me?’; it’s ‘who’s going to stop me?’

“We have many distinguished women from the campus and from throughout the community,” he said. “For a strong woman, it’s a matter of realizing her potential and dream. Her dream, it’s as important as anyone else.”

The morning panel of the The Climb Symposium at West Virginia University at Parkersburg consisted of, from left, Michele Wilson, Alicia Beeson, Cynthia Gissy, Debbie Richards, Billie Shutts and Alice Harris. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)

The first panel included Alicia Beeson, assistant professor of English and gender studies; Cynthia Gissy, dean of academic affairs; Alice Harris, executive vice president of finance and administration; Debbie Richards, executive director of equity, inclusion and compliance; Billie Shutts, executive assistant to the president; and Michele Wilson, executive director of workforce and economic development.

The second panel consisted of Williamstown Mayor Jean Ford; Christina Myer, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel executive editor; Brittany Morgan, WTAP anchor and reporter; Donna Smith, WVU-P Board of Governors vice chair; Heather Hepburn, actor and singer; Miranda Reed, WVU-P Student Government Association treasurer; Morgan Carez, WVU-P Student Government Association vice president; and Brooke Buchanan, WVU-P Media and Communication Club president.

Questions ranged from the biggest influence on the panelists to obstacles faced as the women advanced in their career choice. Faculty member Tori Jackson was the moderator.

Shutts, who became the executive assistant to Gilmer in December 2018, started at WVU-P in 2014 as a member of the housekeeping force.

“Most of my background is bookkeeping and housekeeping,” she said. “Our college is beautiful and housekeeping is the hardest working and least paid. Think about what would happen if they missed a week. People don’t realize what they do. They are amazing.”

Heather Hepburn, a second session panelist, sings before the start of the afternoon session of The Climb Symposium at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)

Shutts was quick to give praise for her rise quickly to her current position.

“God puts you where He wants you,” she said. “If He didn’t, I probably wouldn’t be where I am and at this position.”

Harris, who became executive vice president of finance and administration in 2018, spoke about the woman who had the most influence on her life.

“It was my grandmother, Ernestine Harris,” she said. “She was the hardest working woman. She valued honesty.”

Her grandma told her to tell the truth even when it wasn’t going to be easy, “but people will respect you for telling the truth,” Harris said.

The Peggy Adams Gilmer Memorial Book Award was presented by West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer, left, to Miranda Reed, a senior in legal studies at WVU-P. She is the treasurer of the Student Government Association, president of the Legal Studies Society and president of the Wood County Collegiate 4-H Club. The $500 award, named in honor of Gilmer’s mother, will be presented annually to a student to cover textbook-related costs. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)

Beeson, who has just completed her doctorate in English at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and will receive her diploma later in the spring, said there were many influences from women and mentioned the book “Angels and Amazons,” in her answer but said her mother “was a great example of tenderness.”

She added there are parts of her life which are still developing.

“I’m working on my boldness and courageousness,” she said. Beeson added during a later question female students should seek female mentors in the field of their choosing.

Gissy talked about her mentor, Cynthia Kelley.

“She was one of several strong role models,” she said. “My mother was also one. But Dr. Kelley was here when I began teaching elementary education. She was a teaching friend.

Cynthia Gissy listens to a question during a question and answer session with those in attendance at The Climb Symposium. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)

“She gave me the opportunity to learn from her as I worked with her. She is the lady who encouraged me to get my doctorate,” she said. “Dr. Kelley is a female president at a community college in Kentucky.”

The school is Madisonville Community College and Kelley was inaugurated as the fourth president of the school in November 2017.

Wilson spoke about being a working single mother with a 16-year-old daughter at Marietta High School and the challenges which go with both.

“Time is a challenge; finding time to take care of yourself. It’s a balance of time to find some time for yourself,” she said. “Money sometimes becomes an issue. Sometimes saying ‘no’ to one thing but doing something else as an alternative. Take time to listen to your child, because my daughter (Hannah Harrison) tells me about everything.”

Richards is the longest serving woman employed full time at the school beginning at 1975. Richards said despite many advances, women still face an uphill battle.

“Women face overwhelming challenges,” she said. “Women are held to higher standards. They are held to those higher standards to prove they have the abilities for the job.

“The women who do move up the ladder are met with resistance,” she said. “The resistance can be from men and women.”

She said the resistance could be for any number of reasons.

“Women shouldn’t be afraid to try something and fail. At least try. If they don’t try, they will never know where they want to be,” Harris said.