Toby Wilcher

Toby Wilcher

Berea, KY

While I was a student at Berea College, a KFTC organizer spoke to one of my classes called, “Service, Citizenship and Community” and it really sparked my interest. When I went to last year’s annual meeting, I fell in love with KFTC. 

Through KFTC I have met so many wonderful people. I feel like these people have become part of my family. KFTC is such a truly welcoming group. Anyone who comes to our meetings and activities knows they are accepted for who they are and are not judged or made to feel excluded. I think it’s great how everyone’s particular talents are welcome. I have gained confidence in my own abilities to speak out on issues that are important to me and my community. I enjoy being surrounded by those who share my beliefs and passion for activism.

 One of my greatest heroes is Mother Jones.  Her work in union organizing in the early part of the 20th century is an example to all of us of the importance of organizing and for solidarity within an organization. Her methods were unorthodox and she was an outspoken critic of the coal companies and other institutions that supported them, like the church and the political system. She did a lot of consciousness-raising among the miners and their families, educating them about their plight and about their possibilities. 

She also understood that race, religious differences, and nationality were unimportant. What was important was a united front against the outlaw coal industry. She showed that strength in numbers, vocal criticism, and organized action could bring about changes and could educate the society at large. Organizing is so important because instead of having several voices crying out individually and not being heard, we have a loud, collective voice that is loud and clear. We can approach an issue as a group, a strong, well-oiled united front that gets noticed.
   
Groups like KFTC are so important for so many reasons. First of all, the diversity of KFTC shows that the issues we address are important to us all. We are not a one-issue group or a one-demographic group. Some of our members come from an urban setting, others from a rural setting; some are highly educated while others lack formal education. Plus there is also economic diversity, religious diversity, racial diversity, etc. This illustrates to others that you don't have to live in eastern Kentucky to care about what is being done to the land and people there. You don't have to come from Louisville or Lexington to care about restoration of voting rights or abuse of power by the police. 

Another important aspect of KFTC is that it is the members, not the paid staff, who actively work on the issues. The staff provide valuable support to members that enables us to do our work. But, it is the membership itself that lobbies in Frankfort, leads Mountain Witness tours, speaks at public forums, engages in protest, and writes letters to their legislators and newspapers. It is truly a grassroots organization.

I have talked to several long-time members who say they were terrified of lobbying and speaking before committees in the legislature. But once they found their voice, they were empowered. I think this sense of empowerment is what KFTC gives to its members. When you know that you have a strong group backing you up, you no longer feel like an isolated voice that no one hears. You have power! 

At the annual meeting, I talked with Erica Urias of Pike County quite a bit and she mentioned how great it felt for their small group to have support from KFTC. She feels less of a sense of helplessness and hopelessness ,and more of a sense of power and that they will be successful in their efforts.

From an early age, I recognized how our society ill-treats its members. As a child, watching the Civil Rights Movement unfold on my television, I became acutely aware of racial injustice. As the child of working class parents, I learned too well about classism. As the little sister of a young man fighting in Vietnam, I recognized that too many poor men were sent to die in unjust wars. The observations I made when I was very young helped me form a value system that abhors injustice. The issues KFTC addresses are all about social justice. I hope the little bit of work that I do will go toward helping create a world in which there is no exploitation of the land and the people; where all people are valued and treated with respect; a world where a few do not profit from the work of many.

The best advice I can give to someone new to the organization is to stick with the group. You will find your niche! KFTC recognizes the many different talents people bring to the organization. If speaking in public terrifies you, you don't have to volunteer to lobby in Frankfort. You can start a letter-writing campaign or draft petitions. If you feel like you lack writing ability, you can help do research or make posters. There is a place for you and an important job you have the ability to do. After a while, you might find that you really do have a talent for public speaking and your initial terror has subsided. 

A year ago, I would have rather died than speak at the annual meeting. But this year, I led the opening session and helped lead one of the workshops. I even “performed” at the talent show. Being a part of KFTC has helped me grow in many ways and has helped me understand my talents and abilities. I have been empowered.

The best advice I can give to the membership as a whole is to never stop fighting injustice and to always search for new members, especially young people. There are many people out there who feel the same way about the issues that are important to us as KFTC members who, perhaps, think they are alone. Seek these people out and welcome them into our organization. Educate young people about these issues in a way that will instill the same passion that you possess so they can become the leaders of KFTC in the future.