Hi, I’m Marlynda, and I am proud to serve as the Program Innovation Leader for WV Women Work. I was born and raised in Logan County, WV, where the memory of Blair Mountain still looms large. Growing up, I often heard adults around me use terms like “the workin’ man,” “labor rights,” and “proud union member.” These conversations had a lasting impact on my perspective about the standards workers deserve—especially in the trades where safety is paramount. As a proud union member myself, I’ve made it my mission to support the fair and equitable treatment of workers, and I couldn’t be prouder to further WV Women Work’s mission of advocating for women pursuing nontraditional careers.

My nontraditional career path began when I pursued degrees in graphics technology from Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College, where topics like drafting and construction materials were part of the curriculum. For several years, I put my degrees to use as the art director of several collector car magazine titles. During this time, I also earned my CDL—a combination that, admittedly, was unexpected!

In my current role at WV Women Work, I run the PartnerUp mentorship program, helping women develop individualized plans to achieve their goals. I also assist with community outreach and offer workforce support through our SAFE program.

The WVWW core value that resonates the most with me is Empowerment. Having followed a nontraditional career path myself, I am passionate about helping women explore and succeed in fields that aren’t typically considered for them. Through the PartnerUp program and our community outreach, I work to help women build the skills, confidence, and pathways they need to thrive. Empowering women to achieve their goals is central to everything I do at WV Women Work.