SUPERPOWER: Compassion
Executive Director, West Virginia Association for Young Children
Growing up in Lincoln County, Kristy Ritz was inspired by her Papaw Caudill, who worked as a teacher. During her time as an AmeriCorps Energy Express mentor, her desire to help kids was solidified. She got her bachelor’s degree in child development, and she spent the first seven years of her career working with children in Head Start.
Ritz became involved with a child care resource and referral program that supports families and child care providers—first as a case manager, then as a trainer for child care staff, and ultimately as director. Then, with grant funding in place, the opportunity arose for her to become the West Virginia Association for Young Children’s first executive director.
“I just have a real interest in the well-being of children,” Ritz says. “With my current position, I can help advocate for quality, affordable child care. It’s such an important piece of our economic infrastructure. I see the struggle so many people go through trying to find that perfect balance between working and caring for your family, and so much of this is put on women to figure out.”
Ritz once considered herself a shy person, but a four-year stint on the local roller derby team helped her step out of her comfort zone and gain the confidence she needed. She went back to school at 35 to get her master’s in business administration, and she became not only an advocate for children and their families, but also an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness. As a survivor herself, being a member of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance is especially important to her.
Ritz loves talking to child care providers and hearing their stories, but she especially enjoys helping them build the confidence they need to talk to lawmakers and become advocates in their own right. “I’m fairly new to it myself, but I want to remain in advocacy and help those who are going through difficult times.” Another one of Ritz’s proudest accomplishments is raising her daughter, Brinly, who is now 20. “I’m so proud of the woman that she is becoming.”
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Since 2014 WV Living magazine has been honoring West Virginia Wonder Women, amazing women who are raising the bar in their communities, serving as beacons of light in their industries, and forcing change for the greater good. WV Living is proud to celebrate these Appalachian mothers, millennials, and mavens proving that in a time full of uncertainty, divisiveness, and hate, love for one another is all we really need. No need for bulletproof bracelets or a golden lasso of truth—these women are creating a better West Virginia with their can-do attitudes and Mountain State spirit.
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