I grew up in West Virginia, and recently moved home after 9 years in cities around the country. As a young woman from West Virginia who cares alot about justice in this world, Hazel Dickens was without a doubt my biggest hero. Hazel's songs kept home alive for me the whole time I was away...not just the beauty and wilderness of the West Virginia landscape, but the realities of mining and the incredible labor history this state has. I moved home 3 days before Hazel died, and I think somewhere in my mind I just thought now that I was home I'd get to meet her, get to invite her to the girls' leadership program I grew up in and now work at, so that she could inspire more young West Virginia women through her unstoppable voice for justice. I didn't ever know her but I feel like I've lost one of the most important inspirations to me. I had the chance to attend her funeral, and felt very lucky to get to hear family members and friends tell stories about Hazel. I hope those who knew her are all doing ok with the loss. I can't imagine how hard it must be having known her well. I feel aware of the loss of her every day, I'm sure that if I'd had known her personally it would be overwhelmingly present.