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.comJohn 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.