The Montgomery Herald, Montgomery, W.Va.

Local News

March 17, 2009

County’s first female jurors to be honored

By Matthew Hill

A ceremony will be held next Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Fayette County Circuit Judge John Hatcher’s courtroom unveiling a photo of the first female jurors to serve in the county 52 years ago, Fayette County Circuit Clerk Danny Wright said Monday.

One of them, Bonneita Dubee of Gauley Bridge, is planning to attend the event. She is now 85 years old, Wright explained.

Wright is seeking the attendance Tuesday of any or all of the other 20 or 21 women featured in the May 1957 photograph.

“We were the last state to allow women to serve (on juries),” said Wright. “It took a constitutional amendment in November 1956. They were first allowed to serve here in the spring of 1957.”

Dubee, Hatcher and Wright will likely speak at the unveiling ceremony, said Wright. Fayette County Circuit Judge Paul Blake has also been invited to attend and make remarks.

Wright is seeking the participation of the other women in the photograph. Any relatives or acquaintances, or even the women themselves, may contact Wright at 304-574-4213 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. He also welcomes calls at his home number at 304-465-8845.

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