BECI Warden Receives Woman of Impact Nomination
Belmont Correctional Institution Warden Shelbie Smith is raising awareness for women’s heart health after being selected as a nominee for the Woman of Impact campaign.
The Woman of Impact campaign is part of the American Heart Association’s national Go Red for Women initiative. Running from Feb. 6 through April 9, nominees compete to raise funds and awareness for lifesaving research, advocacy and education focused on women’s heart health. The nominee who makes the greatest local impact is named their community’s Woman of Impact. Candidates are nominated by local residents.
Smith said she believes her nomination reflects her role as a female leader within the correctional system.
“I’m very proud to be nominated for this,” she said. “It’s important to be a part of the community.”
A Bellaire native who now resides in St. Clairsville, Smith is a graduate of Bellaire High School and Belmont College, where she earned a degree in criminal justice. She also attended Ohio University Eastern. She has three children and two granddaughters.
Smith has worked for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for 28 years and currently serves as warden at Belmont Correctional Institution. Although her career has taken her to several locations throughout Ohio over the past decade, she said she welcomed the opportunity to return to Belmont County two years ago.
“There is never anywhere better than being in the Ohio Valley,” she said.
She also served three years as coordinator for the State of Ohio Women in Corrections Advisory Committee.
Smith said her involvement in the campaign is also personal. Her mother, who was diagnosed with COPD, recently died due to complications from the disease and a blood clot in her heart. The loss strengthened Smith’s commitment to promoting women’s heart health awareness.
Since her nomination, Smith has worked to support the American Heart Association’s mission by raising funds, sharing information about heart health, educating the public on CPR and attending community events, including the upcoming Heart Ball on Feb. 28.
“Women in general, we put our families first and all these other things first, and we very seldom put ourselves first,” Smith said. “I think it’s important for us to put ourselves first sometimes, especially our wellness, because if we’re not well, we can’t take care of others.”
Smith is the only nominee from the Ohio side of the Ohio River. Other nominees include Chrissy Clutter, Jan Pattishall-Krupinski, Jennifer Hall-Fawson, Lacy Ferguson and Laurie Conway.
Proceeds raised through Smith’s campaign will benefit the Ohio Valley American Heart Association.
Smith can be reached at shelbie2100@gmail.com, by cell at 740-359-2531 or at her office at 740-695-5169. People may learn more on the website about donating and supporting Smith and the campaign.
“You always want to look for your purpose in life, and I think this is part of my journey and part of my purpose,” Smith said.
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