GLEN DANIEL, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Fox News Channel anchor Shannon Bream visited southern West Virginia Monday to meet with female students at a public middle school and discuss the future of American woman in leadership roles.
During the latest installment of her “Girls Rise Up” lecture series, Capito told the all-female audience at Trap Hill Middle School in Glen Daniel the roles of women in the public sector and in the business world are expanding and changing at an unprecedented pace.
“We have 25 women senators, now, out of 100. That’s the most we’ve ever had but, when you think about the general population, women are half the population. We just need different voices and stronger voices to gives us a fuller look at what’s good for country, and I think women provide that,” said Capito, who is West Virginia’s first and only female member of the U.S. Senate.
Capito and Bream shared stories of the early days of their respective careers and of the importance of setting goals and of being prepared for obstacles and setbacks. Both speakers stressed the value of education as a necessary ingredient for future success in most occupations.
“I came from a home where we didn’t have much when I was growing up. My parents divorced when I was very young but they always told me, ‘Get your education, and you can really go anywhere,’ ” said Bream. “My mom was a school teacher, so I know they’re the hardest working people out there and they want all the best for you and they want you guys to have every opportunity to study whatever you want to do, be whatever you want to be, whether it’s a mom or an astronaut or anything in between.”
Other women who have joined Capito at previous “Girls Rise Up” events around the state include former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and members of the West Virginia University gymnastics team.
Capito said she started the initiative in 2015 to instill confidence in young West Virginia women and empower them to be strong, confident and kind female leaders.