 This project began in 2021 when I sought to challenge Appalachian stereotypes through women's stories. My research revealed that the typical portrayal of "Appalachian women" was deeply flawed. The women I studied defied expectations – they were divorcees in the Bible Belt, career-focused professionals who chose not to have children, and working mothers who balanced successful careers with traditional skills like gardening and cooking over open fires. Despite their remarkable resilience and versatility, Southern Appalachian women's strengths remain largely unrecognized. This book aims to show the world that Appalachian women are far more than stereotype suggests.
This collection of creative prose and layered photographs paints a vivid portrait of the remarkable women who call the Appalachian mountains home. Through gardening native flowers, as well as heirloom plants I have been able to connect to the people who have came before me. Imagining these plants are relics of their everyday life. Whether it's the steadfast determination of the river phlox, the blissful joy of the buttercup, or the refined elegance of the heirloom rose, these women embody the captivating diversity of the Appalachian landscape itself. Their stories serve as a testament to the enduring power of community, tradition, and an unbreakable connection to the land. In these pages, readers will be transported to the hollers and mountainsides of Appalachia, immersed in a world where the human spirit blossoms with the same resilience and beauty as the regional flora. This collection is a tribute to the lionhearted women whose quiet heroism and profound wisdom have shaped the heart and soul of this cherished region. Disclaimer: When the text uses "she/her" pronouns, it is referring to any person who identifies as feminine, regardless of their biological sex or gender identity. Traditionally in the southern Appalachia’s (or the bible belt) a person of feminine identity would be a person who was assigned female at birth.
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 Just as the heirloom roses, she embody a unique blend of resilience and fragility, so too does this Appalachian woman carry an ancient wisdom within a modern spirit. Like those hardy, old-fashioned blooms that thrive in the mountain soil, she has learned to weather every storm while never losing her capacity for delicate beauty.
The roses' thick, thorned stems mirror the protective layers she's grown to shield her tender core. Though her outward demeanor may sometimes seem as prickly as the rose's defenses, those who venture close enough are rewarded with the true essence of who she is - a fragrance both warm and melancholic, a softness concealed beneath apparent harshness. Just as the heirloom roses bear the marks of their lineage in every vein and petal, so this woman's being is shaped by the generations of mountain folk who came before. She tends the hearth-fires of tradition with the same care she devotes to cultivating rare plant specimens, for she knows these roots run deep and must be tended with reverence. Those who glimpse her true essence are often left breathless, as if encountering a wild, sacred bloom hidden in a thicket. For in her, the resilience of the ancient Appalachians meets the refined sensitivity of the romantic idealist. She is a study in contrasts - hardened yet vulnerable, tradition-bound yet innovative, solitary yet deeply connected to community. And like the prized heirloom roses she safeguards, she is a rare and irreplaceable treasure, a living embodiment of the mountains' unbreakable spirit.  Mountain azaleas are hard to find, just like this fiery girl who attains a calm demeanor, even through her passions and interests. She moves with the grace of morning mist, but those who know her recognize the intensity that burns beneath her composed surface. In her garden, among her books, or lost in her art, she works with a quiet dedication that masks the depth of her devotion to everything she loves.
Like the rare blooms she tends, her true nature reveals itself in layers. Each petal of her personality unfolds deliberately, showing glimpses of the fire within. She masters new skills with patient determination, collecting knowledge and experiences not with showy enthusiasm but with steady, unflagging persistence. Her collections of curiosities grow like wild gardens, carefully tended but appearing to flourish without effort. When it comes to her loved ones, her devotion runs as deep as mountain roots. She stands beside her family with unwavering presence, her gentle bearing carrying an underlying certainty that speaks louder than words. Those who encounter her family quickly understand that her tranquil exterior houses a spirit as steady as ancient trees, as protective as spring sunlight nurturing tender blooms. Her strength shows in her soft smile, in her watchful eyes, in the mindful way she tends to those she cherishes. Like the resilient mountain azalea that thrives through changing seasons, she embodies both tenderness and fortitude, grace and quiet resolve.  Much like the vibrant river phlox that clings to the rocky banks, thriving in the most rugged of environments, this woman possesses an unshakable inner fortitude. She has weathered her own storms, emerging with a profound wisdom that she shares freely as the heart of her community. People are drawn to her strength, her solidness - a grounding presence amidst the chaos.
When tensions flare and tempers rise, it is to her that they flock, seeking the calm eye in the storm. With a few well-placed words, she has a way of cutting through the noise, putting a swift stop to unkind speech and restoring a sense of unity. Her voice, while not booming, carries a weight that demands attention, a clunky authority born of years spent cultivating harmony. Yet there is nothing overbearing about her manner. She moves through the world with a quiet grace, her every action infused with a compassion that puts others at ease. It is this balance of strength and gentleness that makes her so magnetic, a natural leader who inspires not through force, but through the sheer power of her unwavering kindness.  She moves through the world with the gentle sway of the Carolina lily, her steps light and unassuming. Like the delicate flower, she carries an elegant humility, never seeking attention but instead using her quiet kindness to nurture all that surrounds her. Her compassion blooms forth in the way she tends to the land, coaxing the vegetables and herbs to grow with a tender, practiced touch. Even the most stubborn weeds seem to yield under the grace of her calloused, yet caring hands.
This humble reverence for nature extends to the way she cares for her family. At the kitchen table, she listens intently to her children's chatter, offering soft words of wisdom that bloom into understanding. Her nurturing spirit is a steadfast force, anchoring her loved ones with the same constancy as the Carolina lily's slender stem. And in the evenings, when the sky is painted in warm hues, she can be found stitching intricate quilts by the cookstove, pouring her heart into each stitch to provide comfort and warmth. Though she possesses an abundance of talents, she wears them lightly, never boastful but rather radiant in her simple grace. Like the Carolina lily, whose subtle beauty belies its resilience, she moves through the world with an unassuming strength – a living embodiment of nature's quiet power to transform and sustain. In her presence, one can't help but feel soothed, as if enveloped in the blossom's delicate petals, safe in the knowledge of her unwavering kindness.  She embodied wisdom beyond her years, her gentle demeanor belying a core of unwavering valor. In every situation, she was the first to rise, extending a helping hand to those in need. Her compassion bloomed early and often, just like the early wild violets that push through the frost to herald spring's arrival.
Whether comforting a grieving friend or organizing aid for a struggling family, she approached each task with quiet determination. Her actions spoke louder than words, inspiring others to follow her lead. She never sought recognition, finding satisfaction in the knowledge that she had made a difference, however small. Her strength lay not in physical prowess but in her steadfast spirit and keen insight. She could see the heart of a problem and approach it with both pragmatism and empathy. Time and again, she proved that true heroism often comes in unassuming packages. As seasons changed and years passed, her reputation grew. People came to rely on her steady presence, knowing that in times of trouble, she would be there, ready to help, just like the early wild violets that return faithfully each year, bringing hope and beauty to the world.  Untold Legacy ProjectThis art project is all about collecting the true stories from people in our local community. These are the stories that often go unheard or get overlooked. This is a safe platform for you to share any and all that you have been wanting to share about yourself. Whether you want to share your story anonymously or include your name, I want to listen and help bring your experiences to life through art. By coming together to share our untold legacies, we can create a richer, more inclusive picture of our community. Your story matters, and I invite you to be a part of this project. Please think about sharing your story so the world can see what Appalachia is really like.
Copy and paste the link to participate in this project. https://forms.gle/ww5nAZtydGWAoqYF6 |
AuthorAutumn Roe is a mixed media storyteller living and working in Bristol, TN. She is inspired the people of her community, and the lands that they reside. She creates work that is anchored to a particular place. Autumn has her MFA from Lesley University of Cambridge, Ma, and a BA from Emory and Henry College of Emory, Va. Archives
November 2024
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