Elizabeth Kee was the first woman elected to Congress from West Virginia. Born as Maude Etta Simpkins on June 7, 1895, she married Bluefield lawyer John Kee, who served in Congress from 1932 to 1951. She was employed for 18 years as his secretary, was elected to complete his term in 1951, was re-elected to six terms, and retired in 1964. She was noted for service to constituents and for passage of the 1962 Accelerated Public Works Act. She died February 15, 1975.