Sheirl Fletcher, age 50, was born Sheirl Ann Lee on June 3, 1957 in Morgantown, WV to the late Glenna Byrle (Everly) and Jerry Lee. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Gordon Bayles, and is the oldest of seven children. Sheirl and her family grew up on a small farm in the community of Stewartstown where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of teamwork. But most of all she learned the importance of family and service to God and country.

Sheirl started the 1st grade in a one-room schoolhouse. She attended public schools throughout her childhood and graduated with honors from University High School in 1975. Her leadership skills surfaced in her senior year when she was elected student body president.

She attended West Virginia University and received a B.S. degree in Geology. (She is an avid Mountaineer football fan and her love for her alma mater continues today. ) Upon graduation, Sheirl was recruited by Consolidation Coal Company to work in its Environmental Department. Sheirl then started her long career working in the coal industry as an environmental specialist, working with state and federal regulatory agencies and environmental groups throughout the state.

In 1979, Sheirl married her high school sweetheart -- a coal miner and UMWA member. Over the next ten years she experienced a number of contract strikes and she lost some dear friends to mine tragedies. Sheirl can relate to the working men and women of this state on a personal basis. She understands their concerns and their desire for decent wages, a safe work environment, health care, and retirement benefits.

Sheirl has two children, Stephanie -- age 23, and Ryan --age 21. After a divorce, she experienced the day-to-day struggles of a single parent. But she enjoyed raising her two kids and she was very active in all of their school activities. As a parent, she knew her children's future depended upon their education -- and she wanted the best. Sheirl became involved with parent/teacher organizations and school improvement programs. It was then she became aware of the issues that are important to teachers and school service personnel, and sympathetic to the public school system and its challenges.

As her children grew older, Sheirl became more active in her community. She became a member of the Business and Professional Women's Organization (BPW/WV) and she worked hard on issues of importance to women including domestic violence, pay equity and women's health care. She was a volunteer with the Monongalia/Preston County United Way and served on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She chaired the United Way's Allocation Committee and it was then she came to understand the true needs of our seniors, the homeless and the poor. Her compassion for the needy and her support for health & human services gave rise to another calling on her life, that of serving in public office.

In 1998, Sheirl was elected from the 44th District to the WV House of Delegates. She was re-elected in 2000. Her two terms in office spanned the Governorships of Underwood and Wise. She served on five committees: Finance, Education, Health & Human Resources, Veterans Affairs, Industry & Labor/Economic Development, and Small Business. In addition, Sheirl also served on the WV Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council that provided funding for multiple water, sewage and commercial development projects across the state.

As her children approached their late teens, Sheirl made the difficult decision to leave public office in order to devote more time to her family -- a decision she has not regretted. Her daughter went to WVU where she received a B.S. degree in Business Administration and her son Ryan followed his dream and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ryan served in the Iraq War and received the Purple Heart medal for injuries he received while serving in Al-Anbar province. During this time, Sheirl joined the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and as a Marine Mom she supported the troops by collecting supplies, sending cards and packages. Her personal relationship with the Iraq War has resulted in an unending support for our veterans, for active duty members of our military and for our National Guard, and their families.

Sheirl is an active member of Fresh Harvest Assembly of God Church in Morgantown and is currently the Manager of Environmental Services for Thrasher Engineering in Bridgeport, WV. But, once again, as a conservative Democrat, Sheirl believes that she has been called to public service and she is preparing for the next chapter of her life.

Please support Sheirl Fletcher for the U.S. Senate -- She's committed to West Virginia!