Submitted Photo Pictured attending the West Virginia State Democratic Women’s Annual Convention last weekend in Charleston were (left to right) Mingo County Chapter President Pauletta Sue Dove. Martha Stepp, WV Supreme Court Candidate Letitia “Tish” Chafin, Levon Spence and Anna Mae Wellman.

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Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

CHARLESTON - The WV State Democratic Women’s annual convention was recently held at the Marriot in Charleston, and was attended by three members of the Mingo County Chapter, Martha Stepp, Anna Mae Wellman and Levon Sue Spence, along with their President, Pauletta Sue Dove.

The conference took place from Aug. 24th through the 26th. Those who were chosen as speakers for the event included U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III, WV Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and her husband Eric Wells, who is a State Senator, State Treasurer John Purdue, State Senator Walt Helmick, WV Supreme Court Judge Robin Davis and several others. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin was in Japan on a business trip for the state but addressed the group via video transmission.

Topics discussed during the weekend events were the decline in voter fraud and the cases that occurred in the 2012 state primary election that resulted in the arrests and prosecution of those who committed the crime; the need to fight for coal miners and their jobs, education, Medicare and social security, and the elimination of the WV food tax.

A fundraising auction was held during Friday night’s activities, with Purdue and Helmick serving as auctioneers. Saturday’s events began with a breakfast and a meeting with the presidents of all the chapters of the WV Democratic Women’s clubs, which was conducted by State President Susan Hubbard. A few of the topics discussed during the meeting were women’s rights and the increase of violence against women, hospital acquired infections, protecting social security for future generations and the upcoming presidential election scheduled for November.

A dinner banquet and dance was enjoyed by all who attended the Saturday evening activities, including a dessert bar sponsored by WV Supreme Court candidate Latisha “Tish” Chafin.

The 2013 state convention will be held in Bridgeport next September. According to the Mingo County president, many member of the local chapter are excited at the prospect of attending.

Women in Mingo County who would like more information on joining the organization may contact Dove at 304-235-0099. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tues. of each month at the Thoroughbred Steakhouse at Goody, Ky. at 6 p.m.