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Facts:

*Area Code: 304

*Bird: Cardinal

*State Abbreviation: WV

*State Capital: Charleston

*Area: 24,231 square miles (West Virginia 41st largest state)

*Population: 1.808,344 (37th most popular state in the US)

*Major Industries: Coal mining ( 2nd largest in the US); livestock, manufacturing of glass products (West Virginia famous for); tourism

*State Flower: Rhododendron

*Tree: Sugar Maple

*Animal: Black Bear

*Official State Colors: Blue & Gold

*Nickname: Mountain State and the motto “mountaineers are always free”

*Lowest point: 240 ft

*Highest Point: 4,861 ft

*Precipitation: 0.6

*Ohio and Potomac rivers form parts of boundaries with other states

*West Virginians refer to their state as “Almost Heaven” because of scenic beauty and rich biodiversity

*West Virginia is called the whitewater capital of the East with about 9 rivers good for rafting

*New River is actually America’s “oldest river” – it cuts through entire state

*New River Gorge is called the Grand Canyon of the East

*80% of West Virginia is covered with forests

A Very Famous West Virginian

Mary Lou Retton (1968- ),the gymnast who won four medals in the 1984 Summer Olympics, including the gold in the all-around competition, and helped the U. S. women’s team win a silver medal, is one of West Virginia’s most famous export. One quote from a coach tells us a lot about her determination, discipline and devotion to the sport she was so good in. “As the pressure gets greater, Mary Lou gets greater!” While winning the gold medal in 1984 she also became the first US gymnast to win the gold since 1948. Mary Lou Retton was famous for her beaming smile and her fierce determination. She delighted the West Virginian’s and made them feel proud and helped the world to learn more about this beautiful and very scenic 41st State. She even got a street named after her in her hometown of Fairmont. I am a competing gymnast myself and I look up to her and what she has done for the sport. Even though she came from a small town she made history. She won her title by only .05 points. She scored perfect 10’s on floor and vault exercise and having achieved that she will be remembered for a long time. Now she lives in Texas with her family including four daughters and when asked what inspired her to become such a successful and famous gymnast she says that she used to watch Nadia Comaneci on TV. She hoped that girls watching her on TV were inspired the same way. I certainly was!

Another Famous Woman from West Virginia

Betty Zane another woman who I believe changed history for the better! She was a brave and very courageous person who played an important part in the Revolution. She and her family lived at Fort Henry in the upper Ohio River Valley and history remembers how she made a mad dash through hostile Indians to get gunpowder to keep Fort Henry from being taken over by the enemy. You must be wondering why she risked her life for gunpowder, why?

During the “last battle of the Revolution,” commander Col. David Shepherd’s gunpowder supply was running low and after battling with the enemy and was almost exhausted. Betty Zane’s brother’s cabin was the nearest source, but it was more than a hundred yards away. When all seemed lost brave Betty stepped forward to accomplish an amazing task. She was young, fast and strong to carry the powder and so do the job. But this dangerous job was nowhere near perfect. She had to pass through the throng of Indians and British spies. They had gathered on all sides around the Fort with their guns and arrows. Did she make it? Yes, carrying the powder in her apron. What a hero!

After all this adventure she settled with her husband Alfred Clark and several children near the Fort. A fair amount of descendants live near where the Fort stood a long time ago. Their is also a street named after her as well as a Highway. If you are interested to read more about Betty you can find the famous novel “Betty Zane.”

I hope you enjoyed reading about these wonderful women. For my resources and facts I had a book about Mary Lou Retton available, and Wikipedia about West Virginia and Betty Zane’s Bio’s on Wiki.