This drawing celebrates the acceptance of women into the coal mining labor force in southwest Virginia. In the 1970’s, numerous women began seeking better pay and benefits in the job market to support their families, as many women miners are single parents or wives of disabled miners. As do the men, they take great pride in their work and have excelled in various positions from roof bolting to running a continuous miner. As shown here, the continuous miner represents both an advancement in mining technology and a reduced labor force of both men and women.
Ellen Elmes
PO Box SVCC
Richlands, VA 24641-1101
email: ellen.elmes@sw.edu
phone: 276.964.7205
fax: 276.964.7720