By Stephen Smoot
For over a decade, the Progressive Women’s Association has labored to bring inspiration to the community, support to the most vulnerable, honor to those working the hardest to help, and a strong dose of spirit to continually reinvigorate efforts all over Harrison County.
The organization originated as the Young Women’s Christian Association of Harrison County and changed its name finally to PWA in 2013, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
Their most public events center around honoring Women of Distinction three times per year. This includes a special presentation each February that specifically honors the contributions, lives, and examples of women of color.
Other Women of Distinction Awards ceremonies in June and October celebrate contributions of all types of American women and those of Italian-American women, respectively.
In 2017, when the current Treasurer Rosalyn Queen was serving as president, she said of the awards that “this highly successful program recognizes women from Harrison County who have made a difference in their lives and the lives of residents by their continued caring and sharing.”
She added that “it is our way of thanking them for their commitment and continued support.”
The organization started its work a decade ago and has dedicated its efforts to community support. During COVID, volunteers worked tirelessly to gather resources for those confined to their home or experiencing economic struggles. They helped as many as they could to overcome troubles imposed by the pandemic, from veterans to pet owners
Support from the community came right back to PWA as generous donors helped to keep cleaning supplies, the food pantry, and other necessities stocked.
All year long, the PWA launches food drives, fundraisers, and more. They have also partnered with the Clarksburg Farmers’ Market and others for special events.
Their efforts do not stop at making sure that those struggling to make ends meet get support. PWA members also spearhead educational and cultural work as well. Last August, the PWA shared that they were “excited to announce a new opportunity for the community” in holding adult sign language classes.
Queen said last August that businesses were invited to send up to two representatives to learn as part of helping them to expand customer service skills.
Earlier last year, they also held sign classes for children between the ages of 10 and 17.
PWA has also hosted entertaining music events at their Uptown Events Center as part of Clarksburg’s First Fridays program.
During the Christmas season, PWA teamed up with other entities, including the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival organizational group to give residents a hot meal and a warm place to stay and socialize for a few hours. Executive Director Elinda Carson told WBOY at the time that “we do it all year long . . . the holidays are a good time to share whatever love you have in your heart for everybody.”
“We have some wonderful people that came through here, people who are just thrilled to be able to sit down, be safe enough to lay their heads down and relax and get a bunch of warm food in their belly,” Carson added.
Part of the work of PWA includes inspiring the next generation of young volunteers and community leaders. This takes place through the Young Progressive Women’s Association.
As their former adult advisor, Betty Felts, explained last April when she handed the mentoring and advising role to Nicole Osbourn, the adjunct organization welcomes girls “who believed that could make a big impact on their community.”
The PWA currently supports a food pantry, Peppy’s Pet Pantry, and the Women of Distinction program while partnering with other groups and holding community events throughout the year. The food and pet pantries serve the public on Thursdays and Fridays each week.
What rarely comes through with social media posts, news coverage, or even seeing their volunteers in action in short snippets is what matters most with PWA.
Current president Betty Waddy serves as a prime example of the mission of PWA to work with and through other individuals and organizations to make Clarksburg and Harrison County a better place. Waddy also serves with the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge counties, the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, and more.
PWA is an organization that relies on the tireless work of volunteers, many of whom are driven by the example of Christ and others who have served or led by that. Until one experiences an event like the Women of Distinction honors, a person may miss the foundation of spirituality and love in their work that fosters a sense of joy when people are helped.