Interview with Mary Widner, October 9, 1986

Partial Transcript: Mary, why don't we start by you telling me how you got involved in the strike?

Segment Synopsis: Mary Widner talks about how she and her family became involved with the Brookside strike, especially through the opening of their home to protesters and getting a job to support her family during the effort. She talks about her choice not be in the documentary "Harlan County, USA." She discusses conflicts on the line and her experiences with ligation and jail.

Keywords: Court; F. Byrd Hogg; Harlan County U.S.A. (Motion picture); Harlan County USA (Motion picture); Harlan County, USA (Motion picture); Jobs; Picket lines; Ray Widner

Subjects: Coal Miners' Strike, Harlan County, Ky., 1973.; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Strikes and lockouts--Coal mining--Kentucky; United States--Trials, litigation, etc.; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: I've come a long way since that time.

Segment Synopsis: Widner discusses her mother's view on protesting. She also talks about her and her family's perspective on protesting and unions today. She says that now most of her time is spent volunteering.

Keywords: 'Survive Appalachia'; Families; Picket lines; Protests; Women

Subjects: Coal miners' spouses; Coal miners--Kentucky; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Volunteers; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Well, how come you were so involved in the strike?

Segment Synopsis: Widner discusses how she and the other protesters ran the picket line, but primarily how she opened her home in the Brookside camp as the central place for organizing. She also talks about being sentenced by Special Judge Hogg and going to jail.

Keywords: F. Byrd Hogg; Families; Houston Elmore; Jails; Sentencing; Strikes

Subjects: Coal Miners' Strike, Harlan County, Ky., 1973.; Coal miners' spouses; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Picketing.; United States--Trials, litigation, etc.; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: Well tell me how do y--what kind of reactions did the women get for being on the picket line, from people around here in the county and stuff?

Segment Synopsis: Widner talks about the critiques of outsiders and their efforts to stop the women. She also discusses the internal views of women in the community, including why she quit the Brookside Women's Club and that the men did not value her input on strike strategies.

Keywords: Brookside Women's Club; Families; Picket lines; Protests; Women

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social conditions; Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America; Women political activists

Partial Transcript: And my oldest daughter, she's been, uh, you know--her husband's been out of work since 1983 too.

Segment Synopsis: Widner talks about her family's current and past connections to coal mining unions. She also goes over some of her family's history, including multiple moves to and from Kentucky.

Keywords: Appalachia; Families; Moves; Paul Rigney; Ray Widner

Subjects: Coal miners' spouses; Coal miners--Labor unions.; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; Strikes and lockouts--Coal mining--Kentucky; United Mine Workers of America

Partial Transcript: How do, how do you feel about it now? Do you feel like it was worth it?

Segment Synopsis: Widner conclusively states she does not regret participating in the strike. She discusses her household before, during, and after the strike, including her upbringing, the role of women, and current economic hardships. The interviewer and Widner discover a connection in their backgrounds.

Keywords: Economic hardships; Families; Pensions; Women

Subjects: Appalachian Region--Social life and customs; Coal Miners' Strike, Harlan County, Ky., 1973.; Coal miners' spouses; Coal miners--Labor unions.; Families.