Betty Jean Hall's campaign to integrate women into coal mines transformed lives in Appalachia, where coal mining jobs were three times more lucrative than common alternatives.
In 1978, Hall filed a landmark complaint against 153 coal companies, which ultimately led to significant settlements and hiring agreements for women in mining.
Her work through the Coal Employment Project showcased the intersection of gender equality and economic opportunity in one of America's poorest regions.
"It's a big thing when a woman can really honest-to-goodness make a decent living," Hall highlighted the economic empowerment that comes from equality in employment.
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