Born in Ohio and raised in Point Pleasant, Poffenbarger became a key political figure. She first gained attention in 1888 by demanding to speak at West Virginia's Democratic convention, later becoming a dedicated Republican. She bought and saved the State Gazette, a Republican newspaper, from financial ruin.

Poffenbarger is most remembered for her successful campaign to recognize the Battle of Point Pleasant (1774) as the first battle of the American Revolution, despite historical disagreements over the issue. She lobbied for a 1909 congressional resolution confirming this designation.

After selling her paper in 1913, she earned national recognition during World War I for her Liberty Loans campaign. She also received an honorary law degree and served on national Republican committees. Though not a suffrage enthusiast, she led West Virginia's campaign for the 19th Amendment and later joined the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform.