Anita Cherry: Like Father Like Daughter
History was made in the winter of 1973 in the coal seams of Jenkins, Kentucky. Alongside Diana Baldwin, Anita Cherry became one of the first two women in the United States to work underground in a coal mine. Stepping into a world that had long been considered off-limits for women, Cherry broke the barrier the day she was hired at Beth-Elkhorn Coal Corporation’s Mine No. 29.
Following in Her Father’s Footsteps
As an eastern Kentucky native, Cherry was no stranger to the mining life. She grew up watching her father, Russell “Red” Fleming, working as a miner. At first, he was not pleased with her decision to join the underground field. He warned her not to mention him to fellow miners, saying he would “break her neck” if she did. He eventually came to take pride in his daughter’s courage.
Driven by more than just legacy, Cherry was motivated by family. At 39 years old, she found herself divorced and raising her daughter on her own. She knew she needed to find a way to provide for her child, Jennifer, the opportunities she desired, and working as a nurse would not make that possible. In 1974, Cherry told The New York Times that the higher wages of mining meant she could help put her daughter through college.
Harsh Realities in the Mines
Cherry endured physical and emotional challenges throughout her early days as a miner. During her time underground, she worked as a scoop operator and a rock duster, two jobs that required great resilience.
Like Diana Baldwin, Cherry suffered from the alkaline dust that coated the mines. She recalled often becoming sick and sneaking away from the men so they wouldn’t see her vomiting. Thankfully, relief came when a local doctor prescribed the two women Vitamin C tablets.
Despite the hardships she endured, Cherry remained steadfast. Her presence, along with Baldwin, debunked the superstitions that women would bring accidents or bad luck to the mines. Slowly, the two women gained the respect of the male miners as they carried out their jobs with competence and resolve.
Opening the Door
The story of Anita Cherry ignited a broad movement for women. Her decision to join the mines was not only an act of necessity but also one of great courage that broke the barrier for women across Appalachia to have the option to work underground. By the end of the 1970s, more than 2,000 women were working underground, following in the footsteps of pioneers like Cherry.
Legacy
Although Cherry does not receive as much attention as the first woman hired, her contribution stands just as tall. She proved that women could survive the dangers of the mines, not for recognition, but out of love and responsibility for her family.
A true trailblazer, Cherry’s perseverance to provide opportunities for her daughter speaks volumes with regard to her understated courage. Anita Cherry’s legacy continues to live on as a reminder that history is often made not just by ambition, but by the unwavering will of a mother determined to create a better future for her family.
Sources and Further Reading
Armstrong, Holly. “A Brief History of Women in Mining.” U.S. Department of Labor Blog. March 22, 2022. https://blog.dol.gov/2022/03/22/a-brief-history-of-women-in-mining
Fermino, Jennifer. “In Coal Mine No. 29, Two Women Work Alongside the Men; Kin Tried to Discourage Them.” New York Times, May 18, 1974. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/18/archives/in-coal-mine-no-29-two-women-work-alongside-the-men-kin-tried-to.html
Hall, Sam Adams. “Nation’s First Female Miner Remembered.” The Mountain Eagle, February 17, 2016. https://www.themountaineagle.com/articles/nations-first-female-miner-remembered/
MSHA Safety Services. “The First Female Miner: Diana Baldwin.” 2020. https://mshasafetyservices.com/the-first-female-miner-diana-baldwin/
Women in Mining USA. “WIM USA Honors Inclusion Trailblazers.” Women in Mining USA. 2023. https://www.womeninmining.us/wim-usa-honors-inclusion-trailblazers/