Joyce M. Barry, visiting assistant professor of women's studies, presented her paper "Remembering the Past, Working for the Future: West Virginia Women fight for Economic Justice and Environmental Heritage in the Age of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining" at the 32nd annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference on March 27-29.
Barry's essay examines the environmental justice activism of West Virginia women seeking to end mountaintop removal coal mining. The essay argues that unlike previous efforts that sought to reform this industry by participating in labor campaigns, current women's activism operates outside of this industry, leveling broad critiques that seek to eliminate its presence in West Virginia. Today's anti-mountaintop removal activism promotes the development of alternative energy sources as a way to diversity the state's economy, and preserve the mountains and communities of West Virginia.
Barry's presentation was part of a panel of essays scheduled to appear in the forthcoming collection Daughters of Appalachia: Explorations of Women's History in the Mountain South. The conference was held in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Barry's essay examines the environmental justice activism of West Virginia women seeking to end mountaintop removal coal mining. The essay argues that unlike previous efforts that sought to reform this industry by participating in labor campaigns, current women's activism operates outside of this industry, leveling broad critiques that seek to eliminate its presence in West Virginia. Today's anti-mountaintop removal activism promotes the development of alternative energy sources as a way to diversity the state's economy, and preserve the mountains and communities of West Virginia.
Barry's presentation was part of a panel of essays scheduled to appear in the forthcoming collection Daughters of Appalachia: Explorations of Women's History in the Mountain South. The conference was held in Portsmouth, Ohio.
