Betty Jean Hall, Who Fought for Coal- Mining Jobs for Women, Dies at 78
Published On Aug 29, 2024, 11:44 AM
Betty Jean Hall, a pioneering lawyer from eastern Kentucky, passed away at the age of 78. She was a key figure in advocating for women's employment in the coal industry during the late 1970s, leading a campaign that resulted in nearly 4,000 women obtaining jobs in coal mines by 1989. Hall's efforts began with the establishment of the Coal Employment Project and litigation against coal companies for gender discrimination, achieving significant settlements that mandated better hiring practices.