NEWSActivism in Action
#ThisIsAppalachia: Kentucky Teacher of the Year 2022
Willie Edward Taylor Carver, Jr., was named the Kentucky Teacher of the Year. He was honored at the White House this spring. But despite the recognition, he may not return to the classroom next fall. Carver teaches high school and college-level French and English at Montgomery County High School in Mt, Sterling, Kentucky in the Appalachian foothills. As a "proud gay man", he sounds a message of concern.
#ThisIsAppalachia/ Florence Reece: Which Side Are You On?
The May 2022 issue of #ThisIsAppalachia celebrates Appalachia's working people and their families. We do so by remembering Florence Reece who inspired so many with lyrics put to paper at difficult moments of union organizing. Her song, Which Side Are You On? remains an anthem today for labor and other movements from Appalachia and throughout the world.
#ThisIsAppalachia: Earth Day 2022, Invest in Our Planet
Our cover photo of Central Appalachia viewed from space comes from the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA and NASA have images of earth that provide glimpses of the interrelated nature of what we have to protect on this Earth Day 2022. The organizing theme is Invest in Our Planet—”because a green future is a prosperous future.” Here are some of options for celebration, action, and service for this year’s Earth Day.
Support ACF's LGBTQ Fund
In line with hopefulness, we share some thoughts about ACF's LGBTQ Fund.
LGBTQ folks in Central Appalachia are organizing for equality and equity in their own hometowns.
Being affirmed as a whole person is a special gift of the impressive number of Appalachian LGBTQ movement organizations, often small, and volunteer. You can support their efforts.
#ThisIsAppalachia: Women of ACF March 2022
To mark Women’s History month, the March issue of #ThisIsAppalachia celebrates our own wonderful women of our board and staff.
#ThisIsAppalachia:Rural News
In a difficult period, newspapers and other local media struggle to survive and the number of jobs in these outlets is limited. Rural areas and smaller community have faced declining coverage of stories important to these areas. One example of building a network to fill the void is Daily Yonder, a national effort based in Central Appalachia. We welcome their story.
#ThisIsAppalachia: American Chestnut
In the living memory of many Appalachian residents, the American Chestnut tree was almost an iconic part of life. It provided food, wood for homes, shelter for animals, and cool shade. And today, the American Chestnut is functionally extinct. Don Davis has followed the story of the American Chestnut through the mountains of Appalachia and even abroad to parts of Europe and Asia. He shares here the efforts to bring back this important tree.
#ThisIsAppalachia: Appalachian Food and Foodways
As the holidays approach, we at Appalachian Community Fund are thinking of nourishment and gratitude. Throughout the history of Appalachia, our foodways have served as a vital source of nourishment for the peoples that have called these mountains home as well as for the movements that have shaped life in Appalachia.