MARAT MOORE COLLECTION
1980-1986

East Tennessee State University
Archives of Appalachia
Box 70295
Johnson City, Tennessee 37614

E-mail: archives@etsu.edu
Telephone: (423) 439-4338

INTRODUCTION

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Provenance: The Marat Moore Collection was donated to the Archives of Appalachia by Marat Moore on November 27, 1987.

Access Restriction: The tapes and transcripts may not be duplicated or published without the written permission of the donor for the next five years but will be opened on November 27, 1992. The photographs, however, may not be duplicated or published at any time without the written permission of the donor.

Processing Information: Betti Davis, Norma Myers, and Marie Tedesco completed processing, and the collection became available for research in May 1988. Marie Tedesco revised the collections finding aid in 1992.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Marat Moore, the daughter of Bert and Geraldine Moore, was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. She attended public schools in Johnson City and graduated from Science Hill High School in 1972. She continued her education at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, where she graduated in 1977 with a major in English.

In 1975 and 1976, Moore worked as a reporter for the Johnson City Press-Chronicle. It was while working for the Press-Chronicle that she first went to the coal mines to cover the 1976 Scotia mine disaster in Letcher County, Kentucky. This experience sparked her interest in the people who work in the mines. Shortly thereafter, she worked for two years as a VISTA volunteer in Minga County, West Virginia. Moore then went to work as a miner in the United States Steel No. 20 mine in Thacker, West Virginia for approximately seven months.

Her experiences at Scotia as a VISTA volunteer and as a miner inspired Moore to learn more about women in coal mining. After leaving the mines, she worked as a freelance writer and photographer while continuing her research on women coal miners. In 1983, she moved to Washington, D. C. to assume her present position as writer and photographer for The United Mine Workers of America.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Marat Moore Collection consists of audiotapes, transcriptions of Moore's interviews of women coal miners, and photographs of selected women miners. Related items such as correspondence between Moore and the women interviewed and/or newsclippings are included in the files of a number of the women. The collection contains both original and edited transcripts of the interviews. Taped interviews of the following women, however, have not been transcribed: Gwenn Ainscough, Ruby Anderson, Pat Estrada, Arna Cash, Ernestine Colburn, Sandy Dorsey, Doris Megan, Phyllis Ann Miller, Rosa Pitts, Liberty Rigas and Janice Tipton. In addition, the interviews with Susie Steele, Sandra Bailey, Kathy Beverly, Nancy Bowen and Helen Korich Krmpotich are documented in transcripts within the collection, but the audio tapes of these interviews are not included in the group.

While the dates of the interviews span the period from 1980-86, the information contained within the tapes and transcripts cover a period from 1914 through 1986. Moore interviewed two groups of women: those who worked in the mines during the decades from 1920 through 1940, and those who worked during the years from 1970 through 1986. The former Moore called "pioneer" miners, and the latter "second generation". Two additional interviews are of special interest: one with Helen Korich Krmpotich, a survivor of the April 3, 1914 "Ludlow Massacre" of miners and their families in Trinidad, Colorado by militia and agents of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company; and one with Minnie Lunsford, a coal miner's wife who lived in "bloody" Harlan County, Kentucky during the 1930s, and who participated in the 1973-74 Brookside Mine strike in that county.

Some important subjects discussed in the interviews are mine disasters, strikes, safety conditions in the mines, mine related stress on the families of coal miners, sexual harassment and other problems of particular concern to women miners. The interviews also provide insight into the language used by miners.

Important subjects covered in the collection include:

Coal mines and mining
Coal Strike, Colo., 1913-1914
Collective bargaining--Coal mining industry
Sexual harassment
Strikes and lockouts--Coal mining
Women coal miners

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I, PIONEER WOMEN COAL MINERS FILES, 1980-1984, Box 1.

Series I contains transcripts of interviews with eleven women who worked in coal mines during the years from 1920-1940. Discussions include such topics as superstitions about women entering mines, treatment of women by male miners, the act of disguising themselves as men in order to work in the mines, the type of work done in the mines, and family background of these women. Photographs and photocopies of related newsclippings are included in some of the folders. The number of the taped interview located in Series IV is indicated in the folder list. The code "Ph" indicates the presence of photographs in that folder. The files are arranged alphabetically by the interviewee's name. The date listed in the folder list refers to the date of the interview; "ND" indicates that there was no date given for the interview. Please note that transcripts may be incomplete.

Series II, SECOND GENERATION WOMEN COAL MINERS FILES, 1980-1986, Boxes 1-2.

Series II consists of photographs, some correspondence and transcripts of interviews with women whom Moore terms as second generation women coal miners. These women began working in the mines during the late 1960s and 1970s. The women discuss their reasons for working in the mines, attitudes of the men working with them, sexual harassment encountered by the women, effects of their work on family members, and working conditions of the mines. The series contains both original and edited transcripts. As in Series I, transcripts may be incomplete. The code "Ph" indicating a photograph, and the tape number for the related audiotape are included in the folder list. The dates listed are the dates of the interview. The files are arranged alphabetically by the interviewee's name.

Series III, MISCELLANEOUS FILES, 1983, Box 2.

Series III contains Moore's profile notes and original and edited transcripts of interviews with two women who were not miners but were involved with coal mining and strikes. The first file concerns the story of Helen Korich Krmpotich who survived the "Ludlow Massacre" in Trinidad, Colorado on April 3, 1914. Krmpotich describes the actions taken by the militia and the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company against the miners and their families, and the efforts of families to hide or to escape from the violence. A photograph of Krmpotich is included. The second interview focuses on Minnie Lunsford, a miner's wife who actively supported the union in Harlan County, Kentucky during the 1930s, and who participated in picketing during the 1973-74 Brookside strike in that county. She describes her own experiences on the line in 1973-74. The files are arranged alphabetically by the women's names. See also Series IV for the two audiotapes of the Lunsford interview.

Series IV includes 57 audiocassette tapes of interviews conducted by Moore, 1980-1986, with women coal miners. A number of the audiotapes have not been transcribed. This series consists of interviews of women who worked in the mines in the years from 1920-1940, as well as those who worked in the years from 1960 through 1986.

BOX AND FOLDER LIST

Series I, PIONEER WOMEN COAL MINERS FILES, 1980-1984, Box 1.

Box 1

1. Crawford, Alice, Dillonvale, Ohio, July 31, 1982 (Tape 12).
2. Fulford, Alice, Columbus, Ohio, July 30, 1982 (Tape 14), Ph.
3. Hawkins, Audrey, Barnesville, Ohio, July 29, 1982 (Tape 17).
4. Hepler, Billy with Carol Edelson and Billy's sister, Karen, Lowber, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1982 (Tape 18).
5. Kelly, Madge, Rock Springs, Wyoming, ND (Tape 1).
6. Leach, Elizabeth Zofchak, Woodsfield, Ohio, October 1, 1982 (Tape 28).
7. McCuiston, Ethel, Gilley Hollow, Cumberland, Kentucky, May 6, 1980 (Tape 34).
8. Netchel, Martha, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1983 (Tape 36).
9. Rogers, Delpha, NP, ND (partial transcript); (Tape 42).
10. Smith, Ethel Day, High Splint, Harlan County, Kentucky, June 26, 1980 (Tapes 52 and 53).
11. Steele, Susie, Woodbine, Kentucky, June 29, 1980.

Series II, SECOND GENERATION WOMEN COAL MINERS FILES 1980-1986, Boxes 1-2.

Box 1

12. Angle, Barbara, Westernport, Maryland, February 1981 (Tape 3).
13. Bailey, Sandra, Mayking, Kentucky, March 2, 1981, Ph.
14. Baker, Pam, Jenkins, Kentucky, May 6, 1980.
15. Beverly, Kathy, Dorothy, West Virginia, July 6, 1980.
16. Boone, Shirley, Crichton, West Virginia, September 22, 1983 (Tape 4).*
17. Bowen, Nancy, Williamson, West Virginia, March 1, 1981.
18. Brock, Brenda, LeJunior, Kentucky, May 9, 1980 (Tapes 5 and 6; Ph). Brock and Pat Estrada, Harlan County, Kentucky, May 9, 1980, (Tape 7), Ph.
19. Brown, Pat, Bessemer, Alabama, August 25, 1983 (Tapes 8 and 9), Ph.
20. Griggs, Charlene, Carbon Hill, Alabama, August 21, 1983 (Tapes 15 and 16), Ph.
21. Howard, Bonnie, Ermine, Kentucky, May 6, 1980 (Tapes 19 and 20), Ph.
22. Huitt, Joy, East Carbon, Utah, September 1986 (Tapes 21 and 22).
23. Keene, Dorothy and Mitchell Keene, Oceona, West Virginia, June 16, 1983 (Tapes 23 and 24), Ph.

*Transcript refers to a second tape; the archives has only one Boone tape.

Box 2

1. Laird, Elizabeth, Cordova, Alabama, August 23, 1983 (Tape 25).
2. Lattimore, Geraldine, Birmingham, Alabama, February 4, l98l (Tapes 26 and 27), Ph.
3. Luna, Evelyn, Kayenta, Arizona, November 11, 1986 (Tape 29).
4. Mullins, Judy, Elkhorn City, Kentucky, ND (Tape 35), Ph.
5. Pennsylvania Women (Georgene Sacchini, Margi Mayernik, Michele Miller and Clare Fraenzl),
Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1982 (Tape 37).
6. Raisovich, Linda, Welch, West Virginia, August 12, 1982 (Tape 40).
7. Rose, Vira, Skygusty, West Virginia, February 1, 1983 (Tapes 43, 44, 45 and 46).
8. Shine, Paulette, Morgantown, West Virginia, April 10, 1983 (Tapes 47, 48 and 49), Ph.
9. Simons, Judy with Rob [Simons?] and Sandy Dorsey, Dillonvale, Ohio, April 12, 1983 (Tapes 50 and 51).
10. Totten, Cosby, Tazewell, Virginia, August 30, 1983 (Tapes 56 and 57).

Series III, MISCELLANEOUS FILES, 1983, Box 2.

Box 2

11. Krmpotich, Helen Korich, Rock Springs, Wyoming, ND, Ph.
12. Lunsford, Minnie, Dartmount, Kentucky, August 12, 1983, (Tapes 30 and 31).

Series IV, AUDIO TAPES, 1980-1986, Boxes 3-6.

Box 3

1. Ainscough, Gwenn, Rock Springs, Maryland, Side 1, 60 mins., ND. Kelly, Madge,

Stansbury Mine, England, Side 2, 45 mins., approximately ND, (T).

2. Anderson, Ruby, Pound, Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 90 mins., ND.
3. Angle, Barbara, Westernport, Maryland, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., February 1981, (T).
4. Boone, Shirley, Crichton, West Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., September 22, 1983, (T).
5. Brock, Brenda, LeJunior, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins. May 9, 1980, (T).
6. Brock, Brenda, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins. May 9, 1980, (T).
7. Brock, Brenda and Pat Estrada, Harlan County, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins.,

May 9, 1980, (T).

8. Brown, Pat, Bessemer, Alabama, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 25, 1983, (T).
9. Brown, Pat, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 25, 1983, (T).
10. Cash, Arna, Madison, West Virginia, Side 1, 45 mins., ND.
11. Colburn, Ernestine and Charlene Griggs, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., ND.
12. Crawford, Alice, Dillonvale, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins. July 31, 1982 (T).
13. Dorsey, Sandy, Martin's Ferry, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 12, 1983.
14. Fulford, Alice, Columbus, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 50 mins., approximately, July, 1982 (T).
15. Griggs, Charlene, Carbon Hill, Alabama, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 21, 1983 (T).
16. Griggs, Charlene, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 21, 1983, (T).
17. Hawkins, Audrey, Barnesville, Ohio, Side 1, 30 mins., July 30, 1982 (T).

Box 4

18. Hepler, Billy with Carol Edelson and Billy's sister, Karen, Lowber, Pennsylvania, Sides

1 and 2, 90 mins. November 22, 1982 (T).

19. Howard, Bonnie Sue, Ermine, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins. May 6, 1980 (T).
20. Howard, Bonnie Sue, Side 1, 30 mins., May 6, 1980 (T). Baker, Pam, Side 2, 30 mins.,

May 6, 1980 (T).

21. Huitt, Joy, East Carbon, Utah, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., September 1986 (T). *
22. Huitt, Joy, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins. September 1986 (T).
23. Keene, Dorothy and Mitchell Keene, Oceana, West Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins.,

June 16, 1983 (T).

24. Keene, Dorothy and Mitchell Keene, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., June 16, 1983 (T).
25. Laird, Elizabeth, Cordova, Alabama, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 23, 1983 (T).
26. Lattimore, Geraldine, Birmingham, Alabama, Sides 1 and 2 , 90 mins., August 23, 1983 (T).
27. Lattimore, Geraldine, Side 1, 45 mins., February 4, 1981 (T).
28. Leach, Elizabeth, Woodsfield, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., October 1, 1982.
29. Luna, Evelyn, Kayenta, Arizona, Side 1 45 mins., November 11, 1986 (T).
30. Lunsford, Minnie, Dartmount, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 90 mins., August 12, 1983 (T).
31. Lunsford, Minnie, Sides 1 and 2, 90 mins., August 12, 1983 (T).
32. Megan, Doris, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., ND.**
33. Megan, Doris, Side 1, 30 mins., ND.
34. McCuiston, Ethel, Gilley Hollow, Cumberland, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., May 6,

1980 (T).***

*Side 2 ends abruptly: speaker is in the middle of a sentence.
**Tape speeds up at intervals, resulting in voice distortions.
***On master, tape does not begin until count 43.

Box 5

35. Mullins, Judy, Elkhorn City, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., ND (T).
36. Netchel, Martha with daughter, Ruth, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Sides 1 and 2,

60 mins., March 13, 1983 (T).

37. Pennsylvania Women, Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, Sides 1 and 2, 90 mins., November

20, 1982. (Margi Mayernik, Georgene Sacchini, Michelle Miller, Clare Fraenzl).

38. Clare Fraenzl, West Homestead, Pennsylvania, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 12, 1983.
39. Pitts, Rosa, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., ND.
40. Raisovich, Linda, Welch, West Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 12, 1982 (T).
41. Rigas, Liberty, St. Clairsville, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 12, 1983.
42. Rogers, Delpha, Sides 1 and 2, 70 mins., approximately, ND, (T).
43. Rose, Vira, Skygusty, West Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., February 1, 1983 (T).
44. Rose, Vira, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., February 1, 1983 (T).
45. Rose, Vira, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., February 1, 1983 (T).
46. Miller, Phyllis Ann, Brenton, West Virginia, Side 1, 30 mins., ND.
47. Shine, Paulette, Morgantown, West Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 10, 1983 (T).
48. Shine, Paulette, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 10, 1983 (T).
49. Shine, Paulette, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 10, 1983 (T).
50. Simons, Judy with Rob [Simons?] and Sandy Dorsey, Dillonvale, Ohio, Sides 1 and 2, 60

mins., April 12, 1983 (T).

51. Simons, Judy with Sandy Dorsey and Rob [Simons?], Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., April 12, 1983 (T).

Box 6

52. Smith, Ethel, High Splint, Harlan County, Kentucky, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., June 25, 1980 (T).
53. Smith, Ethel, Side 1, 20 mins., approximately, June 25, 1980 (T).
54. Tipton, Janice, Bessemer, Alabama, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 25, 1983.
55. Tipton, Janice, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 25, 1983.
56. Totten, Cosby, Tazewell, Virginia, Sides 1 and 2, 60 mins., August 29, 1983 (T).
57. Totten, Cosby, Side 1, l5 mins., approximately, August 29, 1983 (T).

*Master unintelligible until count 185; copy begins here.

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