Helen Holt: A Centenarian's Reflections on a Lifetime of Public Service

Women have made great strides in the past 100 years. As the iconic cigarette commercial told us almost 50 years ago, "You've come a long way, baby!" Yet women are still underrepresented in the highest leadership ranks, including state and federal office. Before being asked to "lean in" or share valuable insights, a small group of very capable women were leaders long before those two words were seen in the same sentence. One such remarkable woman, Helen Holt, was a "servant-leader" throughout her illustrious and inspiring career as a member of West Virginia's House of Delegates, then as secretary of state (1957–58), and later as a presidential appointee charged with developing the nation's nursing home system. Holt's work in state and federal government, her appointment by seven U.S. presidents to develop and implement the national nursing home program that is still in use today, and her leadership in civic and nonprofit organizations have made her an inspiration to countless women and men.