WEST VIRGINIA WONDER WOMEN
ANNE BOLYARD Helping Healthcare
When Anne Bolyard begged her mom to let her be a “volunteen” at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, the experience shaped her future. “To see that caring compassion during probably some individuals’ worst moments in their lives— that act of service made a huge impact on me.” Bolyard earned a bachelor’s degree in health services administration, a master’s in community health education, and a doctorate in educational leadership–higher education administration, all from West Virginia institutions. And then she jumped in: first at the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute, then at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.
Today, Bolyard directs Corporate and Foundation Relations for the Health Sciences Center at the WVU Foundation, matching faculty members’ research expertise with external funding organizations. “There’s a lot of relationship- building with the faculty and the philanthropic organizations and foundations,” she says. “I love the Health Sciences Center, healthcare in general, and this is an opportunity to be part of a group that’s making a difference.” She also serves on the board of the Friends of WVU Hospitals, which oversees delivery of volunteer and other auxiliary services. Until March, she volunteered Saturday mornings in the NICU and Child Life Center. “I miss spending time with those beautiful children,” she says. A native of Clendenin but with a long family history in Fairmont, Bolyard lives in Fairmont and is running for Fairmont City Council. She encourages all young women to be heard. “Run for office. Start your own volunteer organization,” she says. “You can make a difference.” PK
AMY JO HUTCHISON Pain Into Power
Amy Jo Hutchison hadn’t thought of herself as an activist until she fought against a local school board planning to close the swimming pool at her daughter’s elementary school. She won. For the past three and a half years, she has served as the northern regional organizer for Our Future West Virginia, an organization that aims to build local power in order to upend oppressive systems. Her focus is on organizing the poor—particularly single mothers—as well as on protecting SNAP benefits and fighting food insecurity. “I hope to change people’s perception of what poor looks like,” says Hutchison, whose advocacy comes from a place of lived experience. She says working with marginalized people often requires more than empathy; it requires understanding. As an organizer, she teaches others they can make a difference by telling their stories—by turning their pain into power. Hutchison’s favorite part of her work is seeing marginalized people’s confidence grow when they feel empowered. She encourages others to use their power and privilege to open doors for those who may not yet have found their power. JC
ESTHER MOREY Wrapped Treasures
Esther Morey believes, “Every child is a wrapped treasure.” She spends every day unwrapping the beauty of each child through her organization Coda Mountain Academy in Fayetteville, which provides after-school programs, summer camps, and a plethora of other programs to assist at-risk children. Coda Mountain provides hot meals for children, offers an array of classes to suit the interests of children in the area, and even works with parents on a deeper level. Morey insists at-risk children be treated with great respect at Coda Mountain. With art and music, Morey has been able to lower the risk factors in surrounding schools, and she says, “I’m one of a team of people who have passion and vision to make a difference in these kids’ lives, and I would be nothing without my team.” Coda Mountain offers unconditional love and provides a place for these kids to belong, gives them purpose, and provides them with real skills that will make their wildest dreams achievable and their ultimate goals attainable. MM
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