Source: Cinda Kinsey
West Virginia Women's Commission
558-0070
March 5, 2003
Topic: Guardian Angel Award
CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Women's Commission has presented Delegate Virginia Mahan with the second annual Guardian Angel Award for outstanding work on behalf of the state's women.
"Delegate Mahan in particular has been extremely supportive of the Commission's efforts this year and even took an active role in the new West Virginia Coalition for Women," said Cinda Kinsey, executive director of the West Virginia Women's Commission. "We like to honor women involved in leadership roles in the state who have stepped out to promote improving the status of women."
First Lady Sandy Wise and members of the Women's Commission presented the award to Mahan, D-Summers, and Delegate Margarette Leach, D-Cabell, during a recent ceremony at the State Capitol.
Mahan has during the past seven years sponsored legislation strengthening the state's domestic violence laws, family court system and missing children's registry, as well as pay equity legislation. This year, in keeping with her record of protecting women and children, Mahan sponsored a law codifying the Amber Alert system for West Virginia.
"I am humbled by the significance of the Guardian Angel award," Mahan said. "As legislators, we have multiple goals, both short- and long-range in nature. I have made a promise to my mother and grandmothers to always fight for women and children, for their safety and for ways to lift them up."
Lawmakers don't always get to see their goals realized, nor do they expect recognition, Mahan noted.
"But I was happy to accept the Guardian Angel award on behalf of my Mom and so many other women who never receive any accolades for teaching their children what is the right thing to do," she said. "It is a tribute to my mother, Mae Crum, a gentle, beautiful woman of extraordinary talent who made sure that her daughters understood that if there was to be goodness in the world, it was up to us to make it happen."
Mahan said the Women's Commission works very hard with very little to bring recognition to the many contributions that women make to our state every day, offering information and assistance to women on a wide variety of topics. She said the Commission is a valuable resource to all citizens.
"I am truly astonished to be only the second recipient of this beautiful award and will work to continue to establish the reputation upon which it was based," Mahan said.