WV Living celebrates 2026 Wonder Women, honoring the power of women to transform West Virginia

PRESS RELEASE

Annual celebration recognizes extraordinary women who are breaking barriers, strengthening communities, and inspiring the next generation of leaders

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Behind every thriving community, innovative business, successful organization, and meaningful movement in West Virginia, there are women making things happen. WV Living magazine is celebrating those women with its 2026 class of West Virginia Wonder Women, recognizing exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, artists, advocates, and changemakers who are shaping the future of the Mountain State.

The 2026 honorees join a remarkable network of nearly 500 women recognized since the program’s inception 13 years ago. Together, they represent the strength, creativity, determination, and generosity of women who are making West Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

The newest class was celebrated at WV Living’s annual Wonder Women luncheon, an event that brings together current and past honorees to celebrate their accomplishments, forge meaningful connections, and inspire one another. This year’s celebration featured keynote speaker Jan Rader.

“West Virginia women have been doing extraordinary things for generations. We build businesses, lead organizations, strengthen communities, raise families, and create opportunities that didn’t exist before,” says Nikki Bowman Mills, publisher and editor-in-chief of WV Living. “And when we decide something needs to happen, we don’t spend a whole lot of time waiting for permission. We get to work.”

Mills says this year’s celebration was especially meaningful following her participation in the International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellows Program, an international executive leadership experience that included a week of study at Cambridge University in England.

During a presentation on women whose contributions changed the course of history, a Cambridge professor displayed a photograph of Katherine Johnson, the pioneering NASA mathematician from White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

“I immediately recognized her and proudly announced that not only was she from West Virginia, but I’d met her—and she was one of our West Virginia Wonder Women,” Mills recalls. “Here I was, sitting in a classroom at Cambridge University, listening to one of the world’s leading mathematical minds talk about the brilliance of a woman from our own state. It was an incredibly powerful reminder that West Virginia women have been changing the world for generations.”

For Mills, that experience reinforced the importance of recognizing women’s contributions and ensuring their stories are told.

“So many women have accomplished extraordinary things without receiving the recognition they deserve. We created Wonder Women to change that,” Mills says. “Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say to another woman is, ‘I see you.’ I see your hard work, your courage, your sacrifices, and the difference you’re making. And I want everyone else to see it, too.”

The Wonder Women initiative is about more than individual recognition. It is a growing community of women who encourage one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and open doors for future generations.

“Even the strongest women need other strong women,” Mills says. “We need people who believe in us when we doubt ourselves, who celebrate our victories, and who reach back to bring others along. When we recognize one woman’s accomplishments, we show another woman what’s possible.”

The 2026 Wonder Women represent a wide range of professions, communities, and experiences, but they share a commitment to making a meaningful difference. Their stories are featured in the latest issue of WV Living magazine.

“One of the things I hope every honoree takes away from this experience is that it’s OK to be proud of what you’ve accomplished,” Mills says. “Get comfortable with being recognized. Get comfortable with the spotlight. Your story matters, and sharing it may be exactly what inspires another woman to take that next big step.”

Mills hopes the celebration also inspires women throughout West Virginia to embrace new opportunities, take risks, and pursue ambitious goals—even when the path forward feels uncertain.

“You don’t have to be comfortable to be extraordinary,” she says. “You just have to be willing to step forward. And when you do, know that there’s an entire community of Wonder Women cheering you on.”

To learn more about the 2026 West Virginia Wonder Women and read their inspiring stories, visit wvliving.com.

About WV Living

WV Living is West Virginia’s premier lifestyle magazine, celebrating the people, places, businesses, and ideas that make the Mountain State extraordinary. Through compelling storytelling, award-winning photography, and signature events like West Virginia Wonder Women and Best of West Virginia Awards, the magazine inspires readers to discover, celebrate, and invest in their state. WV Living is published by New South Media, a multimedia company headquartered in Morgantown, West Virginia.