Water Concerns in the Coalfields: Photostories Created by the Women of Southern West Virginia

From September of 2008 – May of 2009, 40 women from five communities in Southern West Virginia participated in a Photovoice project to “tell the story” of their communities. They were given digital cameras to document the strengths and assets of their communities, the unique character of life in the region, and the problems and issues of concern in their areas. Each group met monthly for the duration of the eight-month project to share their photographs, discuss common themes, create “photostories” (photographs with written narratives), and develop project ideas to address problems they identified. The purpose of this project is to increase civic engagement in rural coalfield communities and give voice to residents’ concerns and ideas for change.Concerns with the water, particularly in regards to mining activity, was a common theme among the women across the five Photovoice communities. This book includes the women’s “photostories” depicting these water concerns.