Friends -
Following is Wyona Coleman's obituary from the Washington
Observer-Reporter. As indicated below, Wyona had been a leading
environmentalist in Pennsylvania for more than 30 years, doing some of her
most significant work on coal mining issues. You may recall that her
husband Phil, past chair of the Sierra PA Chapter, has spoken eloquently
and effectively at some of the Longview meetings and hearings. Phil is
also one of the appellants in the Greene County case we are now pursuing.
Wyona Coleman, environmentalist from West Brownsville, dies at 73
<mailto:jrichard@observer-reporter.com>John Richards
Staff writer
Longtime environmentalist Wyona Coleman, a founding member of Tri-State
Citizens Mining Network, died Tuesday at age 73.
In the 1970s, Coleman championed the cause of coalfield residents left
helpless by an unregulated strip mining industry with little regard for the
environment.
Coleman and other activists helped in the development of the federal
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Coleman was present in the
White House Rose Garden Aug. 3, 1977, when President Jimmy Carter signed
the act into law.
"She was very much a part of that effort," said Beverly Braverman,
chairwoman of Tri-State and a friend and colleague of Coleman's for the
past 11 years. "She identified where there was a huge need for people to
take a stand and she was not afraid to take a stand."
In recent years, Coleman, a West Brownsville resident, focused her
attention on longwall coal mining, serving as mining chairwoman for the
Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club. She was very active in
establishing the organization's Harrisburg office, according to Jeff
Schmidt, director of the Sierra Club's state chapter.
"Without her involvement we probably wouldn't be working as hard on mining
issues," Schmidt said. "She touched a lot of people's lives in a very
positive way. She was a force to be reckoned with. And at a time when there
weren't a lot of women in the environmental movement in the 1970s."
Her determination, relentlessness and passion inspired a younger generation
of environmental activists, Braverman said.
"Wyona had perseverance in a war that has always been truly difficult. I
think just the length of her battle from the 1970s to the current time was
an example for newer activists," she said. "One of the things I think she
really stood for is you better know that this is going to be a long fight
and you better be willing to put in the time and energy and the passion."
Among that younger generation is Tri-State administrative director Mimi
Filippelli.
"She really has been a mentor to many of us younger people who've gotten
involved in the movement," Filippelli said.
Coleman's ability to influence and incite people to become involved in
environmental issues, especially mining issues, was her strong suit, she said.
"She was a true environmentalist," said Betsy Mallison, spokeswoman for the
state Department of Environmental Protection. "She had the citizens'
interests at heart... and certainly we'll miss her input."
Among her many accomplishments, Coleman served on the DEP Solid Waste
Advisory Committee and helped to negotiate an amendment to provide water
replacement, water supply and repairs to structures damaged by longwall
mining, Mallison said.
Coleman was a driving force behind stricter regulations to protect streams
and wetlands from longwall mines, which have drained water wells, streams
and wetlands.
Under an agreement with the federal Office of Surface Mining, the DEP on
Oct. 8 upgraded its water regulations to align coal mining to the same
rules that apply to surface industries and construction projects.
"As a result of her involvement, the law that is on the books is much
stronger than it otherwise would have been," Schmidt said.
A 1954 journalism graduate of Southern Illinois University, Coleman worked
as a reporter and editor for the Champaign--Urbana Courier, then as an
environmentalist.
She and her husband, Philip Coleman, moved to the Mon Valley in 1969, where
she became librarian at the California Public Library, later serving as
library director until her retirement in 2000.
Surviving are her husband and her sons, Philip and David Coleman, and
daughter Sydney Coleman.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at California Public
Library.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to California Public
Library, 100 Wood St., California, PA 15419 or the Pennsylvania chapter of
the Sierra Club, P.O. Box 663, Harrisburg, PA 17108.
Those wishing to send condolences can reach the family at 551 Pittsburgh
Road, West Brownsville, PA 15417.
