Council of the Southern Mountains

The Council of the Southern Mountains was established as the result of fact-finding efforts by John C. and Olive Dame Campbell during the early 1900s. The organization's first annual meeting was held in 1912. Its original purpose was to provide a means of information sharing and cooperation among Appalachian social services, church, and school workers. Olive Campbell followed her husband as Council Executive Secretary, serving from 1919 to 1928. Others in that position include Helen Dingman, 1928-1942; Perley F. Ayer, 1951-1966; and Loyal Jones, 1967-1970. The Council assumed publication of Mountain Life and Work from Berea College in 1926. In the 1950's, the Council began focusing more on direct service activities. Concern for the problems of Appalachian migrants in urban areas led to the establishment of a Chicago office in 1963. With federal War on Poverty funding in the 1960s, the Council started the Appalachian Volunteers program and administered community action and manpower development projects. Philosophical differences among staff and membership led to major changes in the organization after 1969. Federal funding rapidly shrank, as the Council became an activist organization that concentrated on coal mining issues, textile-mill working conditions, and promotion of community and labor rights. Key leadership included Warren Wright, Julian Griggs, and Isaac Vanderpool. Offices were moved from Berea to Clintwood, Virginia in 1972. Publication of Mountain Life & Work continued until the Council disbanded in 1989.

From the description of Council of the Southern Mountains records 1912-1970. (Berea College). WorldCat record id: 50414262

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