During World War II, June Korn of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, served in the WAVES and appeared in a 1944 war bond drive photo urging Americans to support the war effort. Women like Korn played vital roles in the Navy Reserve, proving indispensable in keeping military operations running while men fought overseas. Read the full story.
Discover the inspiring story of Catherine Marie Fischer, a courageous nurse from Wilkes-Barre who fell victim to the deadly 1918 influenza pandemic while caring for soldiers at Camp Dix. Her selfless service and dedication made her a local hero, forever remembered in Coal Region history. Read the full story.
Meet the “Huckleberry Miners” of 1913 Discover how Coal Region women foraged berries to feed their families and even formed a union to demand fair prices. Read the full story.
While boys worked in the dust of coal breakers, young girls - some as young as ten - labored in knitting mills for meager pay to keep their households afloat. A 1903 McClure’s report exposes how this hidden workforce faced brutal hours and hazardous conditions, fueling broader calls for reform. Read the full story.
In September 1900, Mary Harris “Mother” Jones rallied women in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, to join a march supporting striking miners. Her stirring speech and fearless leadership convinced workers at nearby patch towns to lay down their tools in solidarity. Read the full story.
For Women’s History Month, we highlight the remarkable women who shaped Pennsylvania’s Coal Region. From labor strikes to suffrage activism, their impact on industry, politics, and daily life endures. Read powerful stories of resilience, advocacy, and community strength.
On March 18, 1914, the editors of the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader turned over their newspaper to suffragists.
Susan Evelyn Dickinson became a powerful writer and commentator on social issues and events in the Coal Region in the 19th century.