Celebrating Women’s History Month

Throughout our state’s history, women have acted as pathforgers, leading their communities and often the movements within, preserving traditional practices, and utilizing their Appalachian resourcefulness to better their surroundings. In honor of Women’s History Month, the McDowell County Student Pack is highlighting three women from southern West Virginia who have made a lasting impression on our region: Mother Jones, Elizabeth Simpson Drewy, and Jeannette Walls.  

Mother Jones: Matewan 

If you’ve learned about the Matewan Mine Wars, you’ve probably heard about Mother Jones, a labor rights leader who fought for coal miners’ unionization in southern West Virginia and beyond. Jones, born Mary Harris, was originally from Cork, Ireland. After a series of unexpected life changes, including the loss of her family to yellow fever and her business in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Jones started a new chapter — her most iconic — as she entered her early 40s. 

Coming from a family of laborers, Jones had insight into the industrial world. She became an activist for labor rights, pushing for reform with higher wages and safer working conditions for various industries. In the Mountain State, Mother Jones became an instrumental part of miner unionization and strikes, sparked change in the national labor movement. Jones died in 1913 at the age of 99. 

Elizabeth Simpson Drewry: Elkhorn

Last month, we learned about Minnie Buckingham Harper, the first African-American woman appointed to serve in the West Virginia Legislature following her husband’s death mid-term. This month, we’re meeting Elizabeth Simpson Drewry, the first African-American woman elected to represent McDowell County in the West Virginia Legislature. Drewry, of Elkhorn, was a staunch advocate of racial and gender equality. As a legislator, she ensured that women were at the forefront of much of the policy she introduced and supported. 

Prior to her election, Drewry was a teacher in McDowell County, where she had grown up. During and after her studies at Bluefield State College (then called the Bluefield Colored Institute) and the University of Cincinnati, she became involved with various organizations, including sorority Delta Sigma Theta, the National Association of Colored Women, and other local community groups, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports. Drewry was elected in 1950 and served for a total of 13 years, uncovering greed and corruption in the process. She died in Welch in 1979. 

Jeannette Walls: Welch

This writer’s name may also ring a bell for McDowell County students. Jeannette Walls is a former columnist and the prolific author of three novels: “The Glass Castle,” “Half Broke Horses,” and “The Silver Star.” All three books were New York Times bestsellers. “The Glass Castle,” in which Walls writes about living in her father’s hometown of Welch, West Virginia, debuted on the big screen in 2017, starring Brie Larson as Jeannette Walls.

Walls is a graduate of Barnard College, and today, she and her husband are based in rural Virginia. If you haven’t read her written works, consider checking them out or request a copy from your local library! Content warning: Walls’ works contain sensitive subjects and material. Young readers: be advised.  

Bonus: Meet two more resilient West Virginia women from last month’s Black History Month Feature: Minnie Buckingham Harper and Toni Stone 

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