The Mountain State recently received the dubious distinction of receiving failing marks for the status of its women; they are far behind the rest of the country when it comes to salaries, education and political power.

"Failing" marks may be an understatement. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, West Virginia ranks 51st nationally in the number of women who have four or more years of college, 45th in voter turnout and 39th in women holding elected positions.

That's not all. The Mountain State also was ranked last in annual salaries in the Atlantic region -- an area that includes Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Joan Browning, co-chairwoman of the state's Advisory Committee, actually went so far as to compare West Virginia's women's situation with that of women living in third-world countries. In order to effect a positive change, she said reforms in our state's equal-pay laws and a restructuring of its human resources department are needed.

The news concerning obstacles facing women in West Virginia is bleak. But it doesn't mean our male residents have it much easier on the national level. The recent study only focused on women, and Browning says West Virginia men would likely rank "abysmally" as well.

Browning noted it is "not only immoral, but really unwise to pay people less than enough money to live on decently."

It's unwise on numerous levels. It can have a negative impact on everything from retaining college students to attracting outside businesses to our state's economic future. Our officials need to take a long look at state practices and the rest of the nation -- and decide what role they want West Virginia to play in it.

Kevin Courtney