Women of Appalachia Effecting Change: A Look at Fictional and Non-fictional Portrayals

Women in Appalachia have long been forces for change – in fiction, non-fiction, and popular culture. From Mary Harris “Mother” Jones’ work on behalf of miners and mill workers, to Rosanne Cash’s and her daughter Chelsea Crowell’s recent efforts to reinstate the assault weapon ban, to the characters in Adriana Trigiani’s novel of female empowerment - “Big Stone Gap,” women are seen as active forces working toward change in a community that outsiders often perceive as powerless. The narratives emerging from these women, both fictional and real, tell the tales of female grassroots movements to facilitate change in the Appalachian region and demonstrate how successful one voice, when joined with others, can be