Interview with Ann C. Pollard, November 30, 1990

Interview Summary

Originally from western Kentucky, Ann Pollard and her husband moved to Berea in 1949. She began working as the assistant editor of Mountain Life & Work. In 1965, she was hired to be the office manager for the Appalachian Volunteers (AVs) in Berea. She recalls that the field men considered the Pollard residence a "second home," and that there was always someone stopping by to take a shower, get a warm meal, or sleep for the night.

When the Appalachian Volunteers split from the Council of the Southern Mountains, Pollard chose to go with the new organization. She attributes part of the split to the anti-Semitism of the Council. Pollard describes a book project through which the AVs coordinated book donations to create small libraries in towns throughout eastern Kentucky. She remembers that there were often local political confrontations over issues like this, and how these confrontations would affect the young, naive AVs. Pollard believes that the AVs must be understood in the context of the times. She describes AVs who she was close to and where they are today.

Interview Keyword

anti-poverty organizations War On Poverty

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Economic assistance Pollard, Ann C. Pollard, Ann C.--Interviews

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Interview Usage

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