Interview with Nannie B. Spencer, March 18, 1994

Interview Summary

Spencer married a coal miner at age sixteen, in 1938. They had twelve children: eight sons and four daughters, whom they raised in the coal fields. She describes using a switch to punish her children. Spencer's husband was successful and always worked. Religion is an important part of her life and in the lives of her husband and her children. Spencer describes how unusual it is for a woman in the Baptist Church to be a licensed Evangelist. She preaches in her church and plays the piano. Spencer feels race relations are improving, and says that she did not have problems with racial tensions, due to religion. Spencer is putting her faith in God regarding economic improvement, rather than in Democrats and Republicans.

Interview Keyword

Appalchian Region Coal mining Etman, West Virginia Gender roles Women coal miners Coal camps Coal fields Corporal punishment Black Baptist Church Faith

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Coal mines and mining--Appalachian Region Gender issues Poverty--Appalachian Region Sexism Spencer, Nannie B. Spencer, Nannie B.--Interviews Women coal miners Women--Appalachian Region Corporal punishment Baptists, Black Women evangelists Race relations African Americans--Religion

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.