Marshall’s championship women’s basketball team, former boxer Christy Martin turn out for ‘Women Making a Difference Night’

“Just to be standing next to these two amazing women, it’s a wonderful opportunity.’

That’s what Sonya Hairston, CEO of YWCA Charleston – while introducing Christy Martin and Julie Fulks – told the crowd of some 100 people gathered at Charleston’s GoMart Ballpark Wednesday, for “Women Making a Difference Night.” 

Along with the Dirty Birds, the YWCA of Charleston served as co-host of Women Making a Difference Night, and the evening was made possible through the support of Vandalia Health. 

Juli Fulks, head coach, WNIT champion Marshall University Women’s basketball team

“[Basketball] has come a long way,” Fulks told those in attendance. “The last few years, women’s basketball has obviously been on the rise, and really changed the trajectory.”

“Even when we played in the WNIT (Women’s National Invitation Tournament) last year we had 6,000 fans and sold out the Cam Henderson Center, which was amazing,” Fulks continued. “We (coaches) have a really consistent environment for our team. We want to show up in a way that is predictable, that we’re there, encouraging them (players), and we’re putting them in a different place where they can be the best version of themselves, and we can help them do that.” 

Throughout her 22-year coaching career, Fulks has amassed a record of 443 wins and 172 losses. Fulks spent a decade each with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and Lexington, Kentucky’s Transylvania University, before taking on the role of head coach for the Thundering Herd. In just two years with Marshall, Fulks has led her team to 43 wins against 29 losses, and a prestigious WNIT championship. 

“For many young people right now, it can be really challenging times,” Fulks said. “Social media has changed their college experience where everything they do is public, and every performance is judged, and they have a lot that they have to deal with in games.”

“I think the biggest thing is we (coaches) try to make sure that we’re there able to provide support, and make sure that we’re talking to them about everything, not just basketball,” Fulks noted. “What are their challenges in the classroom? What are their challenges, maybe off the court or back home? What are their challenges in terms of what are they trying to do with their career? We need to care about them as a whole person, and I think our staff does a great job with that, and making sure they feel supported in every area of their life, and in anything that they might need.”

As for the lasting impression Fulks endeavors to make, years from now, she hopes her players will look back on their time with the team and say that Fulks and the coaching staff cared deeply for them. 

“We want to make sure that we show and, and we have fun with them,” Fulks said. “We get them at a great time in their life, obviously.They’re 18-to22, and I think I have the best job in the world. We get them at a time when they have big dreams, on and off the court, and we get to be a part of that.”

“We just hope that we can do anything to help them move closer to their dreams, and be a part of their growth process,” Fulks added. 

Christy Martin, former WBC female super welterweight champion

Mullens-native Christy Martin is recognized the world over as one of – if not the – most successful female boxers in the sport’s history. Not only is she credited with legitimizing the sport of women’s boxing, but in 2016, Martin became the first female fighter ever to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Martin is a former WBC super welterweight champion, holds a professional record of 49 wins against just seven losses and three split-decisions, was the first woman fighter inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020. 

“I believe the biggest motivation that I had is when people told me I couldn’t do it,” Martin said. “I’m definitely one of those people that if you tell me I can’t do something, stand back and take pictures baby, because it’s about to happen.”

Although aware of her homosexuality at an early age, at 22-years-old, Christy Martin married her trainer, Jim Martin – a man 25-years her senior – in 1991. According to Christy, her marriage to Jim Martin was one of convenience. However, Jim Marin not only enabled her cocaine addiction, but he was reportedly both physically and mentally abusive throughout their marriage, and wasteful with her prize money. 

In 2010, after Christy Marin reportedly informed her husband that she wanted a divorce, Jim Martin stabbed Christy three times before shooting her once with her own gun. Jim Martin was eventually convicted of second-degree attempted murder for the attack, and sentenced to 25-years in prison. Jim Martin died in prison in 2024 while serving his sentence. 

Not only did Christy Martin survive the attack, but she would return to the ring to compete three more times. In 2017, Christy Martin married her former rival-turned-sparring-partner, Lisa Holwyne. The couple now resides in central-Florida. 

“I think that my life has been a perfect example of the ultimate underdog,” Martin said. “I am truly a coal miner’s daughter from a small town in Wyoming County, West Virginia, and if you believe it, then you can achieve it.”

“My thing is, don’t let these mountains hold down your dreams,” Martin added. “Dream big, and go out there and achieve it.”

Christy is the founder of “Christy’s Champs,” a non-profit organization established to provide financial support and other resources for victims of domestic violence. 

Women Making a Difference award recipients

Before the awards were presented, Madison Stone – who serves as chair of the Women Making a Difference committee – spoke about the importance of recognizing the women who mean so much to their communities. 

“Tonight is about celebrating women who strengthen our communities every single day,” Stone said. “Every honoree here tonight was nominated because someone looked at them and said, ‘She makes a difference.’”

“That is one of the highest compliments anyone can receive,” Stone added. 

2026 Women Making a Difference award recipients:

• Whitney Barnhart: Nominated by Susie Salisbury, Barnhart is a community outreach specialist for the FBI Pittsburgh-Charleston Resident Agency.
• Amanda Campbell: Nominated by Jennifer Parsons, Campbell is team leader for cervical cancer screening at Labcorp.
• Nia Casey: Nominated by Carly Chapman, Casey is an advocate for the WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.
• Kim Cobb: Nominated by Reed Houston, Cobb is a former Assistant Professor of Communications at the West Virginia State University College of Arts and Humanities.
• Kimberly Gardner: Nominated by Katey Yoast, Gardner is a food advocate for the community of Rock Branch.
• Allison Gerlach: Nominated by Katey Yoast, Gerlach is a Western Regional CASA volunteer supervisor in Kanawha and Jackson Counties.
• Amy Hannah: Nominated by Tiffany Lemasters, Hannah is a community advocate for all of Mingo County. 
• Dusty Justice: Nominated by Kelsey Lawson, Justice is a national community service leader in the current American Royal Beauties, as the National Community Service Director.
• Alexa Kirkwood: Nominated by Michelle Robinson, Kirkwood co-founded the nonprofit Exceptional Possibilities of West Virginia.
• Jessica Kortz: Nominated by Carly Chapman, Kortz, an educator with the Kanawha County school system, is an advocate for children.
•  Jessica A Martin: Nominated by Jay Silverman, Martin is also known as So JAM Fancy, and is a rising star social media influencer.
• Tara Martinez: Nominated by Julie Thomm, Martinez advocates for the underserved communities of West Virginia.
• Katy Maynard: Nominated by Madeline Price, Maynard offers hope to women who are in need as the Director of Project Hope for Women and Children.
• Rita Meadows: Nominated by Joe Cole, Meadows is an advocate for her community of Hurricane, West Virginia, working with youth groups, nursing homes and various community events.
• Bonnie Swann: Nominated by Whitney Woods, Swann has dedicated career to children in various communities as a Social Worker for the State of West Virginia
• Christine Teague: Nominated by Rod Blackstone, Teague has been making a huge difference through her leadership of Vandalia Health’s Ryan White program.
• Amber Ullman: Nominated by Jessica Huffman Ullman volunteers with the Nitro Little League and does whatever is needed to help the 30 plus teams have success.
• Jen Wood: Nominated by Morgan Robinson, Wood exemplifies what it means to make a difference through her volunteerism with many agencies.
• Kayla Young: Nominated by the Dirty Birds’ Baseball of Us Committee, Young is a  member of the WV House of Delegates Kayla Young is a dedicated public servant. 
• Morgan Robinson: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Robinson served as the first co-chair of the Women Making a Difference planning committee and helped launch annual opportunities for girls and young women to learn.
• Susie Salisbury: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Salisbury has led community development in the city of Charleston for decades. 
• Madison Stone: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, is the current volunteer co-chair of the Women Making a Difference planning committee and hails from Clay County.
• Barb Korn: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Korn is a former assistant professor at West Virginia State University who has also been assistant superintendent of schools with the WVDE. 
• Helen Southall: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball Leadership, Southall has been a volunteer troop leader with Girl Scouts across generations.
• Carly Chapman: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Chapman is an interior design lead with ZMM Architects and Engineers. 
• Meghan Moses: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Moses helps lead a large family owned business, Moses Auto Group, that has been involved in community improvement programs for decades.
• Sonya Hairston: Nominated by Dirty Birds leadership, Hairston has been CEO of the Charleston YWCA for 18-months.
• Jill Gearin: Nominated by Dirty Birds Baseball leadership, Gearin came to West Virginia as the first woman to be the official voice of a sports team in our state, and is the current play-by-play announcer and Community Outreach Manager for the Charleston Dirty Birds.

Women Making a Difference night is one of the many annual events hosted by the Charleston Dirty Birds. For more information, or to purchase tickets to a game or event, visit dirtybirdsbaseball.com. To learn more about Christy’s Champs, or to make a donation, visit christyschamps.org.