photo by: Emma Delk

Associate Vice President of Foundations and Community Relations for WVU Medicine Jessica Moore, center, was joined by her husband Dr. James Moore, left, and her three children Bella, Miley and Jaxson as she recieved the Pioneer Woman of the Year award at the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Ladies Luncheon.

Associate Vice President of Foundations and Community Relations for WVU Medicine Jessica Moore was recognized as the Pioneer Woman of the Year during the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Ladies Luncheon held Thursday at Grand Vue Park.

The award recognizes a distinguished woman who has made significant contributions to Marshall County. Marshall County Chamber of Commerce Vice President Katrina Bonar said the award is given to a “trailblazer, risk-taker and a woman with a clear mission and commitment for the betterment of Marshall County.”

Moore is the former United Way for the Ohio Valley executive director. She entered her role with WVU Medicine in 2023.

While announcing Moore for the award, Bonar noted her hard work in fundraising to support the health care needs for the Ohio Valley community and beyond. This includes raising nearly $8 million for the Medical Park Foundation and the Reynolds Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Bonar also noted Moore’s dedication to the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, particularly the Ladies Luncheon. Moore has served as the emcee for the event multiple times.

“She helped create this Ladies Luncheon,” Bonar said of Moore. “Years ago, she hand-dipped hundreds of pretzels for the event, so what the luncheon has become today is through Moore’s dedication.”

Moore was joined by her husband, Dr. James Moore, and three children, Bella, Miley and Jaxson, to receive the award. She was honored to join the names of past recipients, noting they were community members that “shattered the glass ceiling” for her generation.

Moore added that the Ladies Luncheon was a “very special” event for her and noted that it was a favorite amongst Marshall County Chamber of Commerce members.

“If you’ve attended this event, you know why it’s everybody’s favorite,” Moore said. “To hear the stories and inspiring experiences that people have gone through can really change your outlook on life. It’s always a beautifully inspiring lunch, and I look forward to it every year.”

In addition to honoring Moore, attendees at the luncheon heard the stories of three Ohio Valley women who have made significant contributions within their field and community: pediatric physician assistant Amanda Mosman; Amy Dobkin, founder of strategic communications company Amy Dobkin Communications; and Generation West Virginia Executive Director Alex Weld.

Mosman shared her start in the medical field and how she found her passions for serving the pediatric population in the tri-state area and working with mothers as a lactation consultant. Mosman also shared her dedication to serving children “who don’t have a voice” as a child abuse advocate.

Moving beyond her medical career, Mosman detailed the founding of her non-profit organization, which supports special needs populations in third-world countries, and a free medical clinic in Haiti.

Dobkin traced her journey from leading public and government affairs for oil and gas companies in the Appalachian Basin to founding her own boutique firm specializing in strategic communications, reputation management, crisis communications and stakeholder engagement for corporate and non-profit organizations.

Weld shared how Generation West Virginia seeks to help young people in West Virginia “reimagine what their path can be” and find new career options. She noted the various programs the nonprofit operates, including Career Connector, a job placement service for young adults.

Weld also shared how the nonprofit is helping the women of West Virginia find their own path, adding that the state has the lowest female workforce participation rate in the country. She noted strides women have made to not only “get a seat at the table” but “open up more seats at the table for other women to sit,” but added that the attendees must still “roll up their sleeves,” as more work must be done for women to enter more leadership roles in the workforce.