Coal Labor History Sets Stage for Community

Conceptual art of the Pound Labor Monument, which is currently under construction. Conceptual design by Dana Jo Cooley

Residents and local leaders have been working hard to bring new life to the Pound, Virginia, through a series of projects grounded in the needs of the community and informed by feedback from the people who call Pound home. One upcoming project celebrates Pound’s history. Last year, Pound received funding from Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia to create a labor-oriented monument downtown.

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SWVA leaders advocate for community resilience projects in D.C.

A "Welcome to Dante, Virginia" sign stands in front of a small brick building with a dark metal roof, set against a backdrop of forested hills with autumn foliage. The sky is clear and blue, and a few other buildings are visible in the background.

On an extraordinarily hot, humid day in July, three Southwest Virginia community leaders climbed their way around Capitol Hill. Leabern Kennedy, Vice Mayor of Pound, Linda Kiser of Dante and Melissa Gillenwater of Dungannon had endured the eight-hour drive from the other end of the state the previous day and were now making their way…

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