Governor Bob Wise has appointed Kitty B. Frazier of Cross Lanes as a commissioner of the West Virginia Women’s Commission. Frazier replaces Patricia Daugherty of Huntington who recently resigned after serving for five years.

Frazier, who will be one of 11 commissioners, is not new to the commission and its activities. During the commission’s infancy, she was very involved with projects such as Missing Chapters, Our Working Lives, and the West Virginia Women’s Yellow Pages.

According to Wendy D. Thomas, commission chair, "We are delighted to welcome Kitty back to the women's commission. Her expertise and dedication to the women of West Virginia will be a valuable resource in helping the commission reach its mission of improving the quality of life for West Virginia women."

Frazier grew up in Wheeling and attended Ohio County schools. She also attended West Virginia University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English. Frazier is married to Walter Frazier and they have two sons, Gary and Stuart.

An associate professor of English at West Virginia State College, Frazier is in her 35^th year of teaching in higher education. Her poetry and articles have been included in various state and regional publications, such as Appalachian Heritage, Laurel Review, Goldenseal, Old Wounds, New Ground; and Anthology of Appalachian Poetry. In addition, she prepared a compilation entitled "West Virginia Women Writers," which is housed in the research collection at Schlesenger Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In response to her appointment, Frazier said, "I have supported the women’s commission since its inception in this state, and I thank Governor Wise for appointing me as a commissioner. I see now as my time to pay back a large debt to the people of West Virginia. People who have supported and fostered me in my growth as a woman. I look forward to investing time, energy and passion in this important position."

The West Virginia Women’s Commission, an office of the Department of Health and Human Resources, is an advocate for and partner with the women of West Virginia, working to create opportunities for equality and empowerment through advocacy, research, education and consensus building. The Commission exists to foster women’s economic, educational, political, and social development, to ensure their full participation in society and to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of state women.

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