The Women’s Lyceum: Katherine Manley
On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, a West Virginian author, Katherine Manley, read and shared several sections in one of her books. Manley’s book reading was held in The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at 7:00 p.m.
Katherine Manley is not only a West Virginia author, but a National Board-Certified Teacher. With degrees from both Marshall University and West Virginia University, Manley was a Logan County, WV educator for over thirty-five years. Manley’s writing is featured in many places including “Hamilton Stone Review”, “Traditions: A Journal of West Virginia Folk Culture and Educational Awareness”, “The Guyandot Observer” and “Fearless: Women’s Journeys to Self-Empowerment.”
The excerpts that Manley shared were from her memoir, “Don’t Tell ‘Em Your Cold.” Before changing it, Manley had said that the book was originally called “Daddy’s Leg.” Katherine Manley explained that she chose the title “Don’t Tell ‘Em Your Cold” because she was raised in a coal mining area where heat wasn’t feasible. Due to the lack of heat, children could be removed from their family homes. This took place during her childhood and the theme of poverty contributed to her decision to name the book “Don’t Tell ‘Em Your Cold.”
If you are interested in reading Katherine Manley’s work, paperback editions of her book can be purchased on “Mountain State Press” and “Amazon.”
L // Oct 7, 2022 at 8:44 pm
I just finished this and it’s a must read! I’m from central WV and did not experience this poverty, just tough times growing up. This book makes you rethink poverty. Would love to meet the author.
Karen ( Spence ) Hatfield // Oct 9, 2021 at 1:36 pm
As a resident of Logan County , I enjoyed reading your book. Our family was poor like yours . Looking back on my childhood I could relate so well with your life . I thought we were the only ones to have plastic curtains . My sisters and I worked so hard to rise above poverty . We have done well and I’m glad for all the hard work . We never again wanted to be the ones on welfare . Don’t get me wrong we were thankful for it but never wanted to remain on it and I know there is a need for it . Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your book and the memories it brought back to me . I now truly appreciate my childhood and all the lessons it taught me about survival. Congratulations on your success !!!
Vickey Henderson // Nov 9, 2019 at 3:04 pm
I read this book and I enjoyed it so much. I could not put it down. I grew up in north central West Virginia and we didn’t have indoor plumbing until I was in middle school but we always had potatoes and green beans or corn because my parents had a garden. But Kathys Daddy being disabled was bad for her family. He was very good at finding ways to survive and thankfully Kathy was always there to pitch in whether it be picking berries, cleaning or thawing the pipes that had frozen. Awesome book written by a great woman. She had backbone that is all I know. I am reading this book again to make sure I got all of the stories in my mind. I liked the part about visiting their cousins and her parents wasn’t sure of which side of the family these cousins were on. I loved this book. I hope she writes another one. Thank you Kathy for sharing your story. Blessings to your sweet family.
Brenda Brown Carpenter // May 7, 2022 at 8:46 pm
I grew up o n the hill where she lived. I remember her parents well. My sister and her family bought them out when they moved to Logan and I lived with them in the same house. I would love to talk to her several families lived on that hill and it was free. I’m the 8th child of 16 children and believe me we were dirt poor. My granddaughter gave me this book for mother’s day she said I thought you might like it, it’s about a family from Paint Creek. Oh my was I surprised.. it made me cry.memories flood my soul. I pray I can reach out to her.