“Very similar in both films is the way that, once the injunction in served against the workers, the women decide to take over the picket lines,” Ann Kaplan says when comparing films Salt of the Earth and Harlan County, U.S.A. The idea of gender roles is a notion ingrained in the American consciousness. This film, however, turns these notions up on their heads. Not only is the idea of a docile housewife completely overturned, but a new idea of how a woman should act is raised: that women need not stand by when their family and their way of life is threatened. The film shows us that even in the mining industry, an operation run and maintained predominantly by men, women are listened to and respected, especially during such a time as a strike.
The women of Harlan County, KY are a major driving force behind the men, and provide stability and support, the absence of which would leave the miners at a great disadvantage. “The stereotype of woman as passive and man as active is shattered, as we are given a glimpse into the world of women organizing themselves in meetings…” (Flexer). The major way they provide this aid is through these “women’s meetings”, gatherings held among the wives and single women of the area. Their goal is to provide help, be it sustenance or emotional support, to the miners, as well as brainstorm ways to bring attention to the dispute. Their meetings are treated with grave importance; they know that they are one of the few things standing between order and utter chaos. It is their decisions that create momentum within the strike, and it is through their efforts that further injuries are avoided and important figures in the opposition are taken out of the pictures.
One of the greatest victories won by the efforts of the wives is the arrest of Basil Collins, the de facto leader of the “scabs”, workers who are hired by the company to provide labor in the event of the strike. These men are seen as scum by the workers, parasites who set the movement back by providing the industry the companies so desperately need and setting the strike back greatly. As one woman mentions, “[she’d] rather be dead if [she has] to know scabs are there.” Collins approves of the use of violence against the striking workers, most significantly using violence against even the film crew of Barbara Koppel. In response, the women later organize the blockade of the highway that goes to the mine. When the county Sheriff responds, a woman hands him a warrant for Collins’ arrest for possession of a deadly weapon, thus taking a major player out of the proceedings. It’s arguable that this would not happen without the help of the women, as several workers toyed with the idea of “getting as violent as they [the scabs] are.”
The women are also the ones taking vital leadership roles. During a meeting, one of the organizers of the strike comments on the lack of support from the men, stating that a great deal of them had signed up to be on the picket line and yet many of them had not shown up. This is in stark contrast to the women, as it seems that nearly all of them are out in force on the front lines. One of the ladies goes so far as to carry a weapon in her blouse in response to threats of violence from the scabs, a sure sign that these women are not afraid of firearms or violence when their hands are forced. It’s these actions and more that reveal that there is not only one group that stands to lose something to the companies.
All of these actions provide great relief and aid to the miners in their ordeal. The cause would truly be crippled without the support these women eagerly provide. However, it is not only in the documentation of their physical actions that this movie truly shines in regard to the treatment of gender roles. It is in their treatment, the way they are exposed upon the screen which truly gives them the credit they deserve.
It should be noted that the men of Harlan County are not the only group of people who are affected by the strike, as well as the conditions in the mine. As said by John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers Association, the crime of the mining companies is the “exploitation of you and your family when it pleases some industrialist to make money off of your misery.” While men have to deal with the physical conditions in the mine, the women have to deal with the indirect effects as well: the poverty, the physical conditions of their husbands, and the threat of displacement from job loss. One woman struggles with the cost of living after she loses her husband to black lung, a potentially lethal respiratory illness that comes from inhalation of coal dust. Another is faced with eviction after an explosion in the mines. “They didn’t want us to know what happened,” she said in response to the threat. Facing these troubles, they band together and face them head-on.
This is the reason why the women’s meetings are so important. These “councils” of sorts allow them to get together, discuss ideas for the strike, and confide in one another. However, they can also be the point of some contention, and the meetings have been the scenes of clashes of personalities between the members. In one instance, a woman accuses another of sleeping around with other women’s husbands while hers is away at the strike. In response, she says, “I don’t want a man. I want a contract.” This simple rebuttal shows the tenacity and determination of these women. The accused does not care about a petty claim. She does not even try to protect her image or provide evidence against it. Her only defense is that she is too concerned about the progress of the strike and the welfare of the miners to be doing such a thing. This speaks loudly for the leadership of the women in Harlan County. It also provides a contrast to the behavior of the women in the rest of the U.S. In many places, such a charge would induce argument, division, and anger, but not here. Here, the charge is treated as something unimportant and not worthy of attention. The woman handles the situation much like a man would, without the mincing of words or sugar-coating. It is this bluntness which gives these women their strength and their effectiveness.
This situation provides a good image of the difference between the women of Harlan County and the rest of the U.S., and these differences are not always looked fondly upon by those in opposition to them. Norman Yarborough, the head of Eastover Mining Company and the clear enemy of the strikers had this to say about the women’s behavior, “I would hate to think that my wife would play that kind of role. There’s been some conduct that I would hope that U.S. women wouldn’t have to resort to.” This is in direct response to the behavior of the women on the picket line, such as lying in the street, blockading the road with cars, and causing the arrest of Basil Collins. His displeasure at their conduct and discomfort with their actions says a great deal about them. Women in other places did not behave like that during that time. The idea of the independent woman had not truly been accepted throughout the country, and a woman’s duties brought up images of housekeeping or taking care of the children. The fact that these women are right alongside their men shows a great dedication to the cause and an upheaval of sorts of the images the country has of women in general. The women realize that their support out on the front aids the miners much more effectively than staying at home and keeping house.
The men realize this too. At one meeting, the women are discussing the blockade to take place the next day. The de facto leader of the women, Lois Scott, warns the men that although the women have no problem standing out there with the miners, they need the men with them, especially with the escalation of violence used by both the strikers and the strike breakers. “We’re not going out there alone. We’ll help you for as long as it takes, but you need to be there with us,” she says, imploring them to join and defend the women on the picket line. One of the miners speaks up in her support. He acknowledges their efforts, as well as the men’s lack of effort in comparison, and urges the men to come out in force to support the women who are supporting them. Once again, this stands in direct opposition to the role of women in the U.S. Women are often thought of as being dependent upon men, at least in some areas. The fact that one of the men is alluding that the men are dependent upon the women is a sign that the expectations of women are quite different in Harlan County.
Without them filling these roles, there can be little doubt that the strike would have little momentum. They stand strong in the face of adversity, and provide leadership where there is none. We don’t see the meek women of the 50s or 60s. “We see strong, brave women whose dedication never flags and whose pain and suffering makes us weep and wonder how they can go on.” (Kaplan). It is these ideas of solidarity between sexes and the continuation of the support and help that we must continue to see in such communities, and the women will be there to answer the call as “the film has no conclusion—the combat will always continue.” (Atkinson).
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