From Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard with Ola Belle Reed at Brandywine Mountain Music Convention, Concordville, PA, July 1974. Photos by Carl Fleischhauer. 

Women are key figures in the history of Appalachia and its music. From the mothers of miners, pioneering women of bluegrass, and activists, the songs of women have long endured. Music sustains movements and carries stories throughout generations. By way of music, women brought the region’s issues to mainstream audiences through their songs. Giving a voice to the underrepresented and oppressed, these women asserted themselves in the heavily male-dominated music industry and became the voices of future generations. This talk examines some key women in Appalachia whose voices transcended generations and transformed the music we know today. 

About the Speaker:

Krystal Brooke Carter (she/her)  is an educator and scholar based in the Southern Appalachian region. Her work centers on diverse and inclusive perspectives, particularly those of Appalachian women. Alongside her experience in arts administration, she holds a BS in History and an MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University. 

This program is made possible in part by a grant from America 250 NC, an initiative by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.