Maria Gunnoe — a West Virginia woman whose family life has been disrupted and property severely damaged by mountaintop removal — was just named the 2009 North American winner of the prestigious Goldman Award.

Instead of just accepting the coal company's assault and explanation that a flood of toxic coal sludge that covered her property was "an act of God," Maria has fought back both to hold the coal company accountable and to protect citizens in coalfields everywhere from similar abuses.

A statement released Sunday by the Goldman Prize read:

"In the heart of Appalachia, where the coal industry wields enormous power over government and public opinion, lifelong resident Maria Gunnoe fights against environmentally devastating mountaintop removal mining and valley fill operations."

Read more about Maria and her work with the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition on the Goldman Prize web site and the OVEC web site.

The Goldman Award is considered to be the Nobel Prize for the environmental movement. One individual in each of the world's six continental areas is named as a recipient each year for the prize, which includes a $150,000 award.

In 2006, Craig Williams, a founder of the of the Chemical Weapons Working Group in Berea, received the award. In 2003, Judy Bonds, also fighting against the devastation of mountaintop removal with the Coal River Mountain watch, was the North American recipient.

Maria is known to many KFTC members, and heartfelt congratulations goes to Maria and her family for this honor. KFTC also is appreciative to the Goldman Prize for again recognizing the struggle to stop mountaintop removal and coal company abuses as one of the most important environmental and social justice campaigns in the world.

You can view some aerial photos of mining above Maria's home here.

Story in the Charleston Gazette.

Story in USA Today.