By William “Skip” Deegans
When Greenbrier County readers go to the on Nov. 8, it will not be uncommon to see the names of women candidates on the ballots. In 1924, that was not the case. Voters had, for the first time, an opportunity to elect a woman as prosecuting attorney. On the ballot was Miss Geraldine G. Driscoll of White Sulphur Springs (shown in the 1924 photo) who had been nominated in the May primary and was endorsed by the Greenbrier County Republican Executive Committee. Driscoll may have been one of only two women in the United States that year who were running for prosecuting attorney.
Driscoll was one of three women lawyers practicing in West Virginia. Prior to his death, she had been associated with Henry Gilmer, a legendary Greenbrier County lawyer. She maintained an office in Lewisburg and was experienced in criminal law. The Ronceverte newspaper, The West Virginia News, endorsed Driscoll over her Democrat opponent, Samuel Price, a prominent Lewisburg lawyer. In its endorsement, the newspaper’s editor wrote, “Miss Driscoll is a young woman but not a “new” woman. She does not affect masculinity, and as may be noted from her portrait, she has not yet fallen for the latest fad of femininity – the hair bob. In this she may be called old-fashioned and conservative, but it gives ground for the faith that we have that if elected, she will demand justice in the enforcement and administration of the law in Greenbrier County.”
Endorsed by the competing newspaper, The Greenbrier Independent, Samuel Price won, 6,373 votes to 4,598.
Photo: Courtesy of The West Virginia Daily News.
Sources: The West Virginia News, The Greenbrier Independent, Hinton Daily News.