Statement from West Virginia University President Gordon Gee on the death of Helen Holt, the first woman in West Virginia to hold a statewide elected office. Holt, who received an honorary degree from WVU in 2013, died Sunday of heart failure at age 101.

“West Virginia has lost one of its true trailblazers—although typical of so many of our citizens, she never felt comfortable with that label,” said West Virginia University President Gordon Gee. “Whether it was in the state legislature, as secretary of state, or in her leadership roles in federal housing programs, Helen Holt lived to serve. She was a true treasure and a dear friend to West Virginia University. She will be greatly missed.”

-WVU-

07/13/15

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