Appalachian Youth Creators

Young people in Appalachia are being shaped in an era fraught with political unrest, surrounded by almost insurmountable global issues that will shape the world they inherit. But all at once, they are expected to both save the world and care far less about things too serious for them to understand. Here, we give young Appalachians space to think out loud, examine and amplify issues they know are impacting their identities, their communities and, by extension, their politics.

Kent State University student Jarrett Woo gets his Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination from Kent State nursing student Allie Rodriguez in Kent, Ohio, Thursday, April 8, 2021. Photo: Phil Long/AP Photo

COVID Fears, Stress and Anxiety Continue for College Students Back on Campus

As college students around the country returned to campus this fall, the start of the semester came with an ongoing set of challenges during a pandemic, including academic stress, lack of social and emotional support, and moving to a new place, all of which affects students’ mental health.        But some […]

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Summer's grandparents, Juanita and Clee Conley. Photo: Provided

Commentary: What My Mamaw Has Taught Me about Women’s Labor and the Appalachian Matriarchy

The Appalachian woman archetype is rough, hardened and traditional. Men are the head of the household; women mind the house. The labor of men brings money and professional prestige; women’s accomplishments are brushed aside as familial expectations. Cleaning, minding children, providing a refuge for emotional vulnerability, these are all duties […]

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