Diana Baldwin was an American hospital receptionist and miner. She and Anita Cherry, hired as miners in 1973, are believed to have been the first women to work in an underground coal mine in the United States. They were the first female members of United Mine Workers of America to work inside a mine.[1][2][3]
Diana Baldwin | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 31, 1948 |
| Died | May 28, 2016 (aged 67) South Carolina, US |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editBaldwin was born on August 31, 1948, to Lelar Baldwin, in Letcher County, Kentucky. She first worked as a waitress, then as receptionist at a medical clinic. During that time, Diana had 3 children - Lori, born in 1966, Scott, who lived 1968 – 2022, and Mark, born in 1970. Later she married James Roger Gibbs (m. 1982 – 1991). Baldwin moved to South Carolina in 1992 where she received her Commercial driver's license and became an on-the-road truck driver. She met William Christian, a truck driver as well. They were married from 1994 to 2002.[4][5]
Coal mining career
editIn 1973, Baldwin (aged 29) decided that she needed a better-paying job to support her family. She applied for a job at a coal mine operated by the Beth-Elkhorn Coal Company in Jenkins, Kentucky and was hired. Soon after, she was brought to national attention as a woman coal miner. Walter Cronkite did a story on Baldwin in 1973. She also appeared on the show What's My Line?. She was interviewed by The New York Times in May 1974. Before retirement, Baldwin became a Mine Boss then Assistant Federal Mine Inspector.[6][7][8]
Death
editBaldwin died of lupus in South Carolina on May 28, 2016, at the age of 67.[4]
References
edit- ^ Armstrong, Holly (March 22, 2022). "A Brief History of Women in Mining". DOL Blog. U.S. Department of Labor.
- ^ Klemesrud, Judy (May 18, 1974). "In Coal Mine No. 29, Two Women Work Alongside the Men". The New York Times.
- ^ "Two Women Make History as Kentucky Miners". Toledo Blade. December 26, 1973. p. 21.
- ^ a b "Nation's first female miner remembered - The Mountain Eagle". The Mountain Eagle -. June 1, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Kentucky New Era. Kentucky New Era.
- ^ Gearhart, Dona G (January 1, 1995). "Surely, a wench can choose her own work!" Women coal miners in Paonia, Colorado, 1976-1987. UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations (Thesis). doi:10.25669/83uw-c7cr.
- ^ The Sumter Daily Item. The Sumter Daily Item.
- ^ Klemesrud, Judy (May 18, 1974). "In Coal Mine No. 29, Two Women Work Alongside the Men". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
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