Lucy Wood was the first WVU woman to go to the far East as a missionary teacher,where she died giving birth to her only child, Faith Lawrence. Infant Faith was sent home to Morgantown to be raised by Ruth Wood. Faith graduated from WVU in 1927.
The Wood sisters, Ruth and Lucy were early WVU students. Ruth entered WVU in 1890 and left after falling ill with typhoid fever. She became the first female stenographer in Morgantown (1895), the first woman to run for political office in Monongalia County, (1926) and the first West Virginia woman to become a certified Realtor.
The Spinster Club in Gym Suits, 1903. From left: Ruth Wood, Sallie Bennett, Willa Brand, Stella Hall, Lucy Wood, Minnie Core, Josie Kunkle. Lucy Wood left a letter which mentioned wearing her gym suit as one of six layers to keep warm in western China.
The Spinster Club at Lucy Wood Lawrence's wedding, February 18, 1908. From left: Bess Brown, Willa Brand, Sallie Bennett, Lucy Wood, Minnie Core, Josie Kunkle, Tillie Bernhardt. The Spinster Club of Morgantown flourished by the first decade of this century. At least two members married. All were Morgantowners who had graduated from high school and several had finished West Virginia University. Most were teachers. The Club met to socialize and visit on Saturday nights, with an occasional male friend or fiance allowed to attend. Members helped Ruth Wood, a pioneer stenographer, Realtor,and political candidate, raise her sister Lucy's daughter after Lucy died in China giving birth to her only child.
