Betty Jean Hall, a prominent Appalachian attorney and former federal administrative judge, died at 78 in Cary, N.C., where she had resided since her retirement in 2019. Hall left an indelible mark on the coal mining industry, advocating tirelessly for the rights and inclusion of women in a predominantly male field. Her efforts not only opened doors for women to enter coal mining but also highlighted labor rights and safety priorities.
Hall’s journey began with her education in history from Berea College in 1968, followed by legal studies at Antioch School of Law. Her passion for justice and equality led her to establish the Coal Employment Project in 1977, a Tennessee-based advocacy group. The project was aimed at promoting gender inclusion in coal mining, a field notorious for systemic discrimination and gender biases.
Betty Jean Hall, advocate who paved the way for women to enter coal mining, dead at 78
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Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
Hall’s drive to see women miners succeed stemmed from learning about gender discrimination within the coal industry. Her work led the Coal Employment Project to file numerous anti-discrimination lawsuits against mining companies, pressuring them to alter their hiring practices. A significant milestone was achieved in 1978 when a settlement with Consolidation Coal Company led to the hiring of women miners. By the end of 1978, around 830 women had joined the U.S. coal mining workforce, a number that surged to over 4,000 by the mid-1980s.
As McAteer reflected, “Her push was always, ‘Mining is where the jobs are and women need to make money just as men do.’ She would say, ‘We need the money because we have babies and we’ve got families, too.’”
Hall led the Coal Employment Project until 1988, continuing her advocacy for labor rights. Her efforts bore fruit beyond coal mining; her work played a crucial role in the push for the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, advocating for paid parental leave.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Change
In 2001, Hall’s journey saw her appointed as an administrative appeals judge for the U.S. Department of Labor Benefits Review Board. Here, she streamlined benefits review processes, especially for coal miners suffering from black lung disease. Her relentless pursuit of justice earned her numerous accolades, including the John D. Rockefeller Public Service Award and the National Women’s Health Network “Health Advocate of the Year” award. Hall’s leadership extended to several social-justice organizations, including the Highlander Research and Education Center and Southeast Women’s Employment Coalition.
Kilgore expressed through an email, “Betty Jean embraced me and hundreds of other women with pure kindness, acceptance, support and equality.”
Betty Jean Hall is survived by her daughter Tiffany Olsen, husband Kevin Olsen, son Timothy Burke, two grandchildren, and her sister, Janet Smith. Her work lives on through a scholarship established in her name at Berea College for students from economically distressed Appalachian counties. A memorial service is planned for October at Berea College, marking the celebration of a life dedicated to breaking barriers and championing women’s rights in coal mining and beyond.
