The Grapevine: Honoring Seven Women of Distinction
By Rosalyn Queen on February 16, 2023 from The Grapevine via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Women Of Distinction luncheon sponsored by the PWA of Harrison County. Will be held at noon on Friday February 24, at the Uptown Event Center.This luncheon is in conjunction with the observance of Black Culture Month. Ten local women will be honored, especially for their volunteer efforts in our community.
Rhonda Holyfield Mangieri will deliver the Keynote address and the women will be presented plaques in observance of their accomplishments. The luncheon is open to the public but it is requested that reservations be made by calling 304 624 4881.
The following women will be recognized:
Melissa Albert
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Dr. Melissa Albert hails from Clarksburg, West Virginia. She grew up in Mt Zion Baptist Church. Attended and graduated valedictorian from Notre Dame High School. She attended West Virginia University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She continued at WVU to complete medical school and receive a Doctorate of Medicine. Dr. Albert is double boarded in Pediatrics and Psychiatry. She first completed residency training in Pediatrics at Wright State University in Dayton, OH. While working with children and families she realized that she wanted additional training to focus on their emotional needs. She then returned to West Virginia University and completed a Psychiatry residency training program, where she served as Chief Resident during her final year. Following her training, she became a faculty member in Behavioral Medicine at WVUH completing consultations to children and families hospitalized in the Children's Hospital. She then worked for Cornerstone Care in PA. During her time in PA, she was awarded the Patient Choice Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers. Wanting to service her home state of West Virginia, she worked with PSIMED Corporation in the Morgantown and Charleston locations. She has given lectures around the state educating people on mental health and treatment options available. She is dedicated to her patients and their wellbeing. She is devoted to her family. She is proud to call First Presbyterian Church of Morgantown her church home.
Christina Beck
Christina Beck brought her talents to the Alzheimer’s Association, WV Chapter in June
2013. She currently serves as the state’s Senior Walk Manager. Born in Pittsburgh, Christina went to West Virginia as soon as she could, moving to North Central West Virginia when she was six years old. She studied Psychology at Fairmont State University. Beck has focused her talents on recruiting outstanding volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association who have hearts for the mission. She is the most successful and tenured Walk Manager in Chapter history. Together, her Walk Committees and volunteers in Morgantown, Wheeling, Charleston and North Central WV have raised over $1M to fund local care & support services, raise concern and awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia, and support research to build a world without Alzheimer’s. Christina is an advocate for her community, volunteering to increase vaccination rates among African Americans and bringing attention to health disparities in the Black and Appalachian communities. She is the proud mother of four and an amazing Mimi of one.
2013. She currently serves as the state’s Senior Walk Manager. Born in Pittsburgh, Christina went to West Virginia as soon as she could, moving to North Central West Virginia when she was six years old. She studied Psychology at Fairmont State University. Beck has focused her talents on recruiting outstanding volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association who have hearts for the mission. She is the most successful and tenured Walk Manager in Chapter history. Together, her Walk Committees and volunteers in Morgantown, Wheeling, Charleston and North Central WV have raised over $1M to fund local care & support services, raise concern and awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia, and support research to build a world without Alzheimer’s. Christina is an advocate for her community, volunteering to increase vaccination rates among African Americans and bringing attention to health disparities in the Black and Appalachian communities. She is the proud mother of four and an amazing Mimi of one.
Angela Smith
Daughter of Raymond and Barbara Smith and sister of Arissa. Angela is a Stonewood native, attending Roosevelt Wilson HS and WVU. Angela has been a resident of Morgantown for 30 years working in Healthcare and volunteering in the community. Angela has been a case worker with the handicapped, a resident worker with teenagers and became a Mental Health Technician.She has been a Special Olympic volunteer for 30 years, along with volunteering in food kitchens and with the homeless. The past 5 years, Angela worked as a contractor for the US ARMY traveling worldwide assisting inventory for hospitals. Angela continues to work with adults in need and take care of her parents.
Jessica Donaldson Sykes
Born in Clarksburg and raised in Bridgeport WV, Jessica attended West Virginia
University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in History. After earning her she moved to Martinsburg, WV and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. in 2009. While still active in her sorority, she has held various offices and is involved in different committees within the organization. Jessica sat on the board of Stars that Shine for over 3 years and now is on the advisory board. Jessica still provides her knowledge to help assist the CEO and President in any way possible. Jessica took on the role of overseeing and monitoring the financial report process, compliance, and ethics. In July 2020, Governor Jim Justice appointed Jessica to the WV Developmental Disability for the developmentally disabled to receive services, support, and assistance needed to achieve a better life. Jessica is a wife, a mother, a sister, and a great friend. Jessica resides in Spring Mills with her Husband and five-year-old daughter. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, along with spreading awareness of Down syndrome. Her life’s mission is Advocate, Educate, Inspire, Open Minds, and Unite the disability community!
University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in History. After earning her she moved to Martinsburg, WV and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. in 2009. While still active in her sorority, she has held various offices and is involved in different committees within the organization. Jessica sat on the board of Stars that Shine for over 3 years and now is on the advisory board. Jessica still provides her knowledge to help assist the CEO and President in any way possible. Jessica took on the role of overseeing and monitoring the financial report process, compliance, and ethics. In July 2020, Governor Jim Justice appointed Jessica to the WV Developmental Disability for the developmentally disabled to receive services, support, and assistance needed to achieve a better life. Jessica is a wife, a mother, a sister, and a great friend. Jessica resides in Spring Mills with her Husband and five-year-old daughter. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, along with spreading awareness of Down syndrome. Her life’s mission is Advocate, Educate, Inspire, Open Minds, and Unite the disability community!
Tammy Washington
Tammy Washington was born and raised in Clarksburg, WV. Graduate of Washington Irving High School and Salem International University. Recipient of the Associate Commissioners Award while employed at Disability Office and received the Dean’s List Award while attending Salem International University. I am currently employed in the cardiac unit at UHC. My passion has always been helping and caring for people, or even being resourceful in some type of way. You never know how far a little love and compassion goes. My goal is to always be a better person than I was the day before. I pride myself in being the mother to Victor Meeks. He is my pride and joy!
Amber West
Amber West is a born and raised resident of Clarksburg WV. She is married to Jarrod
West and has 2 sons. She has been a nurse for 23 years and currently takes care of veterans at the VA hospital. Her greatest accomplishment is raising 2 amazing sons: Jarrod West II who’s currently playing professional basketball in Greece and Jaidyn West who will be playing basketball at Fairmont State University next year.
West and has 2 sons. She has been a nurse for 23 years and currently takes care of veterans at the VA hospital. Her greatest accomplishment is raising 2 amazing sons: Jarrod West II who’s currently playing professional basketball in Greece and Jaidyn West who will be playing basketball at Fairmont State University next year.
Theresa Yarboro
A native of Western Pennsylvania from Hermitage, currently residing in Clarksburg, West 
Virginia, Ms. Yarboro has been employed with the United States Federal Government Department of Justice since 2010. As a Management and Program Analyst, she supports state, federal, tribal, and nongovernmental entities for noncriminal justice purposes. Ms. Yarboro participates and has planned community service activities which support the goals and objectives which focus on education, health, economics, technology, and family. Ms. Yarboro has participated in local Community Outreach Programs where she represented the Division in the safety and wellness of children; Harrison County National Night Out; Black History Month activities; and served as a judge for a local school’s essay contest. Ms. Yarboro is a member of the Division’s Diversity and Inclusion Program’s Black Affairs Diversity Committee and is a Board Member of the Health Sciences & Technology Academy (HSTA) supported by the WVU Health Sciences Center. As a Board Member of HSTA, Ms. Yarboro is one of the Harrison County representatives that oversee programming and enforce HSTA policies and procedures. Ms. Yarboro is a daughter of Dr. Theodore Yarboro, Sr., (Hermitage, PA) and the late Deanna M. Yarboro.
Virginia, Ms. Yarboro has been employed with the United States Federal Government Department of Justice since 2010. As a Management and Program Analyst, she supports state, federal, tribal, and nongovernmental entities for noncriminal justice purposes. Ms. Yarboro participates and has planned community service activities which support the goals and objectives which focus on education, health, economics, technology, and family. Ms. Yarboro has participated in local Community Outreach Programs where she represented the Division in the safety and wellness of children; Harrison County National Night Out; Black History Month activities; and served as a judge for a local school’s essay contest. Ms. Yarboro is a member of the Division’s Diversity and Inclusion Program’s Black Affairs Diversity Committee and is a Board Member of the Health Sciences & Technology Academy (HSTA) supported by the WVU Health Sciences Center. As a Board Member of HSTA, Ms. Yarboro is one of the Harrison County representatives that oversee programming and enforce HSTA policies and procedures. Ms. Yarboro is a daughter of Dr. Theodore Yarboro, Sr., (Hermitage, PA) and the late Deanna M. Yarboro.
This event is sponsored by Davis Funeral Home.
