You’ve likely never heard of Effie Waller Smith, but that’s about to change.
She was one of the first black female poets to be published in a prestigious national literary magazine. She’s also a native central Appalachian whose poetry was inspired by the natural beauty of what’s now known as Breaks Interstate Park.
University of Virginia’s College at Wise alumna Jessica Mullins Fullen, a community performance artist, will bring her story to life this Tuesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at the College’s Gilliam Center for the Arts. The event is free to and open to the public.
“It was really astounding to me that I had never heard of Effie Waller Smith—another Black Appalachian and native of central Appalachia, who grew up 35 minutes down the road from where I grew up,” Mullins Fullen said. “There’s this idea, even from the people here, that Appalachia is just one thing or it just looks one way, and that could not be further from the truth. That’s never been the truth. The truth is that people like Effie Waller Smith have lived here and have flourished here.”
The event is part of the Community, Documentary and Performance class taught and created by UVA Wise associate theater professor Michael Hunt. Mullins Fullen visited the class in mid-March to share her passion for theater, her experience at UVA Wise and excitement for the new performance project.
It is co-sponsored by UVA Wise’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion office and the Appalachian Center for the Arts in Pikeville, Kentucky.
“Becoming a published poet for anyone is a feat, but for Effie Waller Smith to reach this goal as an African American woman in Appalachian Kentucky during the early 1900s is a milestone,” said Tabitha Smith, associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion. “This performance is an opportunity for us to continue to learn from the past and reflect on our local history while boosting one of our own graduates, Jessica Mullins Fullen. What could be more stimulating?”
The “Effie Waller Smith Monologue” is a half-hour performance written by Robin Irwin and Erick Buckley who are the Appalachian Center for the Arts executive director and education director, respectively. The show was first performed at the center.
The monologue is steeped in research by Pike County historian David Deskins, who became interested in Smith as a college student when his professor introduced him to her work because she was from the same area. Since then he has become the foremost expert on Waller Smith’s life and works.
