John Kennedy reflects on the impact of his Coalition experience, both on his career and life as a whole. For more information on John Kennedy’s involvement with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) and work related to black lung, follow this link for footage of the full-length interview. Recorded June 2018.
John Kennedy describes the evolution of his career and transition to Washington in 1974. Upon suggestion from Eula Hall, Director of the Mud Creek Clinic, and with an official offer from Tom Ludwig, the union rep responsible for occupational health and safety initiatives, Kennedy began to manage the Kentucky and Tennessee programs under UMW’s Black …
John Kennedy reflects on the difference between 1971 and 1975 perceptions of black lung, including recognition of the disease, access to healthcare, and availability of legal support. For more information on John Kennedy’s involvement with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) and work related to black lung, follow this link for footage of the full-length …
Changes in perception of black lung, 1971 vs 1975 Read More »
In supplement to ETRC’s involvement with the Black Lung Association in LaFollette and the Black Lung Clinic in Jacksboro, John Kennedy describes its ongoing activity outside of East Tennessee, too. Namely, he discusses his role setting up clinics in eastern Kentucky–including Prestonsburg, Harlan, and Mud Creek. In addition to mentions of Eula Hall and John …
On the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) in eastern Kentucky Read More »
John Kennedy provides further insight to the Black Lung Association’s legal processes and evolution as an organization that could govern the proposed Jacksboro Black Lung Clinic. Prominent folks involved in getting said clinic up and running included, but were not limited to, Columbus McGhee, Abe Marlowe, and Willis Cooper. Kennedy also discusses the clinic’s first …
Development of the Jacksboro Black Lung Clinic, 1973-1975 Read More »
John Kennedy describes monumental developments in black lung care during the summer of 1973, primarily as it pertains to the establishment of state and federally funded clinics. He details the complex effort in acquiring these funds, including the role key players had in placing pressure on the Tennessee State Health Department to monitor black lung …
Progression of black lung care toward government-funded clinics, 1973 Read More »
John Kennedy elaborates on Heleny Cook’s and Jane Sampson’s role with Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM), their organizing efforts having grown directly out of John Gaventa’s strip mining research and related work about the American Association. For more information on John Kennedy’s involvement with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) and work related to black …
On SOCM’s early days and development as a threat to strip mining Read More »
John Kennedy details progression of the Black Lung Association (BLA) between 1972 and 1973, following its first successful objective in replacing Tony Boyle with Arnold Miller as president of United Mine Workers (UMW). For more information on John Kennedy’s involvement with the East Tennessee Research Corporation (ETRC) and work related to black lung, follow this …
Progression of the Black Lung Association under new union leadership, 1972-1973 Read More »
John Kennedy describes his introduction to the Black Lung Association in LaFollette, Tenn. The organization’s primary functions were twofold at the time. First, supporting legislation that would secure black lung benefits for coal miners, and along with it, providing legal aide in addressing miners’ claims. Second was union reform, which involved supporting Arnold Miller’s campaign …
John Kennedy’s introduction to the Black Lung Association in LaFollette, Tenn. Read More »
John Kennedy describes the deadly repercussions of severe conflicting political interests and struggle for power within UMW ranks, leading to the murder of Jock Yablonski and his family in 1969. Yablonski had opposed Tony Boyle’s re-election as Union President and lost, but retained his seat on the Board and was still considered a threat. Kennedy …
