Elizabeth Kee

Background

She was born Maude Elizabeth Simpkins in Radford, Virginia.

Career

She was the first woman elected to Congress from West Virginia. She was elected to six more terms and served from July 17, 1951 to January 3, 1965. While serving in Congress, she served on the House Government Operations, Interior and Insular Affairs, and Veterans Affairs Committees, chairing the latter"s Veterans" Hospitals Subcommittee.

She died in Bluefield, West Virginia.

Achievements

• After struggling to win support for her economic redevelopment plans for her home district in West Virginia during the Eisenhower Administration, Congresswoman Kee through her support behind President John F. Kennedy"s campaign in 1960 and, through the Accelerated Public Works Acting, funneled millions of dollars through an Area Redevelopment Administration to the state.