Coleman, Wyona S.

Coleman began life as Wyona Smith on March 23, 1932 in Steeleville, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Coleman joined The Courier of Urbana, Illinois in 1956 and after four years left the paper for a public relations position with the Illinois Geological Survey. In 1967, Coleman relocated to western Pennsylvania, where she became increasingly involved in the environmental movement. She campaigned to expand the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in western Pennsylvania. She also participated in the first national Earth Day, April 22, 1970 on the campus of California State College, California, Pennsylvania. During the same year Coleman joined the Brownsville Telegraph as a freelance reporter and editor. In 1972, she contributed to the formation of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club. Coleman became more active on the state level representing the Sierra Club on a number of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER) committees. She participated on various committees including the Mining Legislative Task Force, Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board, Coal Work Group, and the Bonding Advisory Board. The purpose of the committees was to formulate legislation and regulations in response to the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), which allowed states greater regulatory control over surface mining. In 1980, the Pennsylvania DER created the Solid Waste Advisory Committee in response to the growing issue of solid waste disposal. Coleman participated in this committee and played a significant role in the creation of Getting Involved, a DER publication on public participation in the siting of waste facilities. Coleman also participated in a number of supplementary committees such as the Hazardous Waste Facilities Planning Advisory Committee, Hazardous Waste Siting Committee and the Recycling Fund Advisory Committee. In 1981, Governor Thornburgh recognized her participation among others in a "Decade of Service" to the DER proclamation with a ceremony and luncheon. While serving on the DER committees through the early 1990's, Coleman also chaired the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club from 1981 to1983 and again from 1985 to 1986. During her terms she established a full-time lobbyist position in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Chapter. As coal companies turned to long-wall mining, the removal of large panels of coal that cause subsidence affecting natural features and man-made structures, Coleman sought to protect citizens' rights in the coalfields of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She contributed to the organization of the Tri-State Citizens Mining Network in 1994 to create awareness and advocate for protection of citizens, their rights and the environment. The Network has protested long-wall mining activities, such as those that have undermined Interstate 70, and advocates for victims of subsidence and water loss. In 2000, the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation awarded her the Gail Rockwood Public Service Award. On the state level, Coleman coordinated Sierra Club Training to develop the next generation of leaders for the environmental movement. From 2000 to 2005 she served as the Mining, Oil, Gas Conservation Issue Chair. Coleman continued to work for environmental rights until her death in 2005.