Clarifying and promoting environmental and social justice through the written and spoken word. Learn More

Featured Article
Ottis Kermit Cole's Stories
"Y'all come in here and hear this."
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Discover the Legacy that inspires change
The Wilma Dykeman Legacy is a nonprofit dedicated to continuing the powerful work of author, activist, and trailblazer Wilma Dykeman. Through talks, workshops, other events, and books, we're using the written and spoken word (and a little bit of music) to build a future rooted in environmental integrity and social justice.
Join us! Explore upcoming events, read our treasure trove of articles, and become a Friend of Wilma Dykeman.
Let's continue Wilma's legacy - together.
Featured Articles
Events
Books
Events
SAVE THE DATE: Stay tuned for the date and place of our May 2027 celebration of Wilma Dykeman's 107th birthday anniversary.
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Written & Spoken Word
My Story # 1 - Jim Stokely discussing Wilma Dykeman's memoir
Family of Earth: A Southern Mountain Childhood
"Who is there among us who can say he has lived upon this earth, in his own home, and never once been blinded by the clear light of beauty?"
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Start
Date:
October 5, 2026
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Battery Park Book Exchange,
Book cover
Written & Spoken Word
Aisha Adams discussing her memoir
This Is What Made Me
"When I told my son's father I was pregnant, he wanted nothing to do with me."
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Start
Date:
December 10, 2026
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library
This Is What Made Me - book front cover
Written & Spoken Word
Wayne Caldwell discussing and reading from his novel
Shadow Family
"Autobiography? No. Autobiographical? I have 'used the clay of life' vouchsafed me. An adoptee handed to his adoptive parents at some 6 weeks old..."
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Start
Date:
November 12, 2026
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Book front cover
Articles & Resources
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Environmental Integrity
Cartoon by Daniel Carter Beard - 1889 from Public Domain Image Archive
The Drying Planet - Part 3
by Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica
Groundwater “is an intergenerational resource that is being poorly managed, if managed at all."
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Social Justice
Social Justice
Wilma Dykeman speaking with Navajo necklace
Wilma Dykeman honored by NC General Assembly - 2007
sponsored by Rep. Susan C. Fisher
"Now, therefore, Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring..."
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Written & Spoken Word
Written & Spoken Word
Ottis Kermit Cole laying stone
Ottis Kermit Cole's Stories
Part One of Two
"I hired a man the other day. We were having a pretty good conversation. Then..."
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