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01/11/2006

Dr. Davis Available to Speak on West Virginia

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Jessica June Davis, a senior administrator at Southern Illinois University School of Law, recently completed a three-year action research project in West Virginia to address social injustice in Appalachian communities. The research reveals a legacy of isolation and voicelessness. The coal industry had a role in this legacy. The results of the research will be released in the spring.

The following is an excerpt from the manuscript:

"The growing demand for coal as America became an international industrial power necessitated the development of the Appalachian railroad system in West Virginia and central Appalachia and the creation of coal company owned and operated towns. The families of the miners lived in these towns, and the children went to coal company owned and operated schools. The miners were paid with scrip instead of United States currency. The coal company currency required the miners and their families to buy their goods only at the coal company store."

To schedule an interview with Dr. Davis, please contact her at 618-453-8135, fax at 618-453-8769 or jjdavis@siu.edu.