Published: March 19, 2008 10:54 pm         

Two are inducted into West Virginia Voter Hall of Fame

LEWISBURG — When Irma Mae Powell was born Aug. 17, 1908, women were prohibited from voting in the United States. It would take another 12 years before women were granted that right.

Tuesday, surrounded by friends and family at her Lewisburg home, and with a special visit from Secretary of State Betty Ireland, the 99-year old Greenbrier countian was inducted into the West Virginia Voter Hall of Fame.

“I think everyone should get out and vote,” said Powell, who first voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.

Ireland created the hall of fame last September with the intention of honoring state citizens who have voted in every state general election for at least 50 consecutive years. Ireland presented Powell a medal and plaque to honor her unique place in West Virginia’s history.

“This is an election year and (early) voting begins April 23,” Ireland said. “This is a special way to remind citizens how important it is to vote and also to honor those citizens whose voting record indicates a lifelong commitment to one of our most cherished responsibilities as citizens.”

Letters were mailed last fall to county clerks requesting the names of the oldest voter in each county who had voted in the last 25 general elections. Each year, county clerks will submit another eligible voter’s name, Ireland said.

Powell also had a few “words of wisdom” for those going to the polls this May and November. There’s more to voting than just marking a ballot, she said.

“You have to be an educated voter,” Powell said. “Go find out what the candidates stand for and know where they stand on the issues.”

Ireland also honored Summers County’s Hall of Fame voter, Grace G. Honaker.

Honaker’s daughter, Virginia Maddy of Bellepoint, said her mother taught her voting was a responsibility.

“She always told me it was a duty we had. She expected me to vote,” Maddy said.

Maddy said Honaker, 99, also expects that from her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“She says, ‘Don’t talk to me if you haven’t voted. Don’t belittle someone to me if you didn’t vote,’” Maddy said.

Honaker often found a familiar name on the ballot — her son-in-law, Maddy said. Maddy’s late husband, Bob Maddy, was a two-term Summers County sheriff.

Maddy said her mother received a medal and a certificate for her induction into the hall of fame. She was also pleased that Ireland personally came to the ceremony at Summers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Honaker’s current residence.

“I feel good that mother has been patriotic all of her life,” Maddy said.

Reporter Amelia A. Pridemore contributed to this report.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach

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