Mode of Program Participation
Community Organizing and Educational Programming
Participation Type
Roundtable
Session Title
Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Contemporary Issues: A Discussion of Intersections and Place
Session Abstract or Summary
At the 2016 conference, the session “Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Historical Scholarship: A Discussion of Women of the Mountain South” attracted a large audience, and the discussion among presenters and attendees brought up many contemporary aspects of feminism in Appalachia that were mentioned only briefly due to the session time limit. For example, feminism is not fully integrated within Appalachian Studies, and the concept of place is not significantly present in feminist discussions on intersectionality. Thus, we want to carry the conversation forward this year by turning our attention to contemporary feminism in Appalachia. The presenters represent a mix of academic, community, and activist perspectives, and we intend to begin the conversation by introducing topics including the intersections of power and privilege for women and feminist ideas in Appalachia, the importance of social media and feminism in Appalachia, and ecofeminist activism and livelihoods. Moreover, we intend to promote feminist commitments to social justice by making space available for audience participation in order to invite as many voices into the discussion as possible. The purpose of this roundtable discussion is to continue and advance the discussion of feminism in Appalachia among and for scholars, activists, and community members who are engaged in work related to women’s and gender issues.
Presentation #1 Title
Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Contemporary Issues: A Discussion of Intersections and Place
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
At the 2016 conference, the session “Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Historical Scholarship: A Discussion of Women of the Mountain South” attracted a large audience, and the discussion among presenters and attendees brought up many contemporary aspects of feminism in Appalachia that were mentioned only briefly due to the session time limit. For example, feminism is not fully integrated within Appalachian Studies, and the concept of place is not significantly present in feminist discussions on intersectionality. Thus, we want to carry the conversation forward this year by turning our attention to contemporary feminism in Appalachia. The presenters represent a mix of academic, community, and activist perspectives, and we intend to begin the conversation by introducing topics including the intersections of power and privilege for women and feminist ideas in Appalachia, the importance of social media and feminism in Appalachia, and ecofeminist activism and livelihoods. Moreover, we intend to promote feminist commitments to social justice by making space available for audience participation in order to invite as many voices into the discussion as possible. The purpose of this roundtable discussion is to continue and advance the discussion of feminism in Appalachia among and for scholars, activists, and community members who are engaged in work related to women’s and gender issues.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Tammy Clemons is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Kentucky. Her dissertation research focuses on the cultural productions of young visual media makers in Central Appalachia and how they envision, construct, and act upon possibilities for young people in the region. She and her partner are ecofeminist artists, activists, and off-the-grid homesteaders with deep Appalachian roots.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jordan Laney is a first generation college student completing her dissertation in the ASPECT doctoral program at Virginia Tech. She serves as the co-chair of YALL (Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners) and as a Founding Fellow for the VT Graduate Academy for Teaching Excellence. Her current work can be found here: www.jordanlaney.com
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Penny Messinger is Associate Professor of History at Daemen College in Amherst, NY, where she teaches history and women’s studies. Her recent essay on women leaders of the early Conference of Southern Mountain Workers was published in the Women of the Mountain South anthology (2015).
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Lou Murrey is a photographer from Northwestern, NC, a member of the Stay Together Appalachian Youth steering committee and self-identified queer radical feminist. She currently serves as an Americorp VISTA in East Tennessee.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #5
Ashley Sedlock is a founder of Appalachian Feminist Coalition, 5th Generation Appalachian, mother, and activist.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #6
Crystal Good is a writer poet. Quantum Christian. Tunk player. Libra charmer. Underdog cheerleader. Mountain Mamma.
Good is hard to put into just one category, she prefers: Artist, Entrepreneur, Advocate. Good uses poetry to explore the landscape of Appalachia as a lens into the universe. She is the author of "Valley Girl" and is working on her second collection of poetry. She is a member of the Affrilachain Poets and a Irene McKinney Scholar. She earned a MFA in Poetry from West Virginia Wesleyan. Good serves as the made up but completely real office of Social Media Senator for the Digital District of West Virginia and is the founder and CEO of Mixxed Media. "Senator" Good was also was a featured speaker at the 2013 TEDx conference in Lewisburg, WV, where she presented “West Virginia and Quantum Physics: Small Things Matter." @cgoodwoman crystalgood.net
Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Contemporary Issues: A Discussion of Intersections and Place
At the 2016 conference, the session “Examining Feminism in Appalachia through Historical Scholarship: A Discussion of Women of the Mountain South” attracted a large audience, and the discussion among presenters and attendees brought up many contemporary aspects of feminism in Appalachia that were mentioned only briefly due to the session time limit. For example, feminism is not fully integrated within Appalachian Studies, and the concept of place is not significantly present in feminist discussions on intersectionality. Thus, we want to carry the conversation forward this year by turning our attention to contemporary feminism in Appalachia. The presenters represent a mix of academic, community, and activist perspectives, and we intend to begin the conversation by introducing topics including the intersections of power and privilege for women and feminist ideas in Appalachia, the importance of social media and feminism in Appalachia, and ecofeminist activism and livelihoods. Moreover, we intend to promote feminist commitments to social justice by making space available for audience participation in order to invite as many voices into the discussion as possible. The purpose of this roundtable discussion is to continue and advance the discussion of feminism in Appalachia among and for scholars, activists, and community members who are engaged in work related to women’s and gender issues.
