Profiles

Parkersburg Business Leader and Philanthropist

Nicknamed “Mickey,” Mary Welch was a successful businesses leader in male-dominated fields including the oil & gas industry. She operated Welch Oil & Gas and was the first woman in West Virginia to drill an oil well. She also owned other businesses over the years, including Welch Music, Commercial Office Equipment, and Classic Rope, and was a business associate of Mister Bee Potato Chips.

While Welch was a preeminent example for many women that entered the business world, she was also known for her philanthropy. For her philanthropic efforts, Welch received many community awards, including the Golden Hammer Award in 2017 from Habitat for Humanity; the Philanthropist of the Year award in 2019 from the WVU-P Foundation; a Fraternal Order of Police Award; and an Honoree Rotarian Award.

In 2020, the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation received a $15 million bequest from Welch, who passed away in 2019, to help organizations that help people is the Parkersburg community to build a better life.