Kentucky needs more citizens like Evelyn Williams, citizens who speak out for countless other people whose histories have been affected by inequality and injustice.  She once considered herself powerless, but in 1992 she took on Equitable Resources and Exploration, Inc. (EREX) in its attempt to service a gas well on her property.

In order to understand Williams’ fight, it is necessary to understand the broad form deed, which made it possible for companies to purchase mineral rights to a piece of property, while leaving the original owner with the rights to the surface of the land.  Broad form deeds did not become problematic until strip mining became common practice, and Kentucky courts interpreted broad form deeds to include the right of the mining company to extract minerals however they saw fit.  Although laws were changed somewhat in 1988 to protect property owners from coal miners, landowners had no protections against companies mining for oil and natural gas until 1994.  Meanwhile, Williams knew that her water had turned red from the well’s pollution and that there was erosion on her tumbling hillside.  Williams chose the route of peaceful demonstration and blocked an EREX truck’s entry by sitting down in the road and reading a book.  Members of the grassroots organization Kentuckians for the Commonwealth joined her fight, and EREX agreed not to damage her property any further, and to notify her before coming onto the property to service the well.

Evelyn Williams believes that corporations need to have better ethical standards for the common good—not just for their stockholders.

Visit Appalshop's Web site to find out how to order a copy of Evelyn Williams, an Appalshop film directed by Anne Lewis.