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5 Ways Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson Is Reshaping Social Justice Activism From Appalachia

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Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson stands as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in the modern American social justice landscape, currently serving as the Co-Executive Director of the historic Highlander Research & Education Center. Her work, deeply rooted in her identity as an Affrilachian (Black Appalachian) woman from the working class, provides a critical framework for understanding the intersection of race, class, and environmental justice in the 2020s. As of December 2025, she continues to lead and shape movements, advocating for systemic change across the South and the nation. Her unique perspective, which bridges the gap between traditional Appalachian struggles and contemporary racial justice movements, has made her a sought-after speaker, strategist, and leader. Henderson’s career is a testament to the power of localized organizing that scales up to national influence, focusing on political education, grassroots power building, and the fight against systemic oppression.

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson: A Biographical Profile

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson’s journey from Southeast Tennessee to the helm of a globally recognized social justice institution is a powerful narrative of grassroots leadership. She is widely known for being the first Black woman to serve as Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Research & Education Center.

  • Full Name: Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
  • Identity: Affrilachian (Black Appalachian) woman
  • Hometown/Roots: Born and raised in Southeast Tennessee, from the working class.
  • Current Role: Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Research & Education Center (since 2017, board member since 2012).
  • Education: East Tennessee State University, where she majored in English and minored in African and African American Studies.
  • Key Affiliations/Leadership: Leadership Team of the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), Steering Committee of the National Bailout Collective, Chair of the Advancement Project (as of the 2024 Annual Report), and former 2022-2023 Activist-in-Residence at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU).
  • Core Activism Focus: Environmental racism, workers' rights, racial justice, and fighting for a "people’s democracy" in Central and Southern Appalachia.

1. Leading the Legacy of the Highlander Center into a New Era

The Highlander Research & Education Center, based in New Market, Tennessee, has a storied history as a catalyst for social change, training figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. Henderson, alongside Co-Executive Director Rev. Allyn Maxfield-Steele, has been instrumental in steering this historic institution into the 21st century.

Her leadership has ensured the Center remains a vital hub for political education and movement building, particularly by focusing on the struggles of the working class and people of color across the South. Henderson’s approach emphasizes that social justice is a continuous, intergenerational effort, not a single event. She has been a board member since 2012 and took on the Co-Executive Director role in 2017, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position.

Under her guidance, the Highlander Center continues to facilitate critical conversations and training on issues like economic justice, land reform, and the fight against regressive policies, as evidenced by their continued work and participation in major national discussions into 2024.

2. Championing Affrilachian Identity and Environmental Justice

One of the most unique and powerful aspects of Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson’s work is her proud identification as an Affrilachian woman. This term highlights the often-overlooked history and presence of Black communities in the Appalachian region. Her activism is inseparable from her lived experience in Southeast Tennessee, where she confronts the intersection of racial and economic marginalization.

Henderson is a fierce advocate against environmental racism, a critical issue in the Appalachian Mountains. She has been a long-time activist working against destructive practices such as mountaintop removal—a form of surface mining that has devastated Appalachian ecosystems and disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities. Her work links the fight for land and water to the broader struggle for racial and economic equity, arguing that the health of the environment is a core component of human rights.

  • Key Activism Areas:
    • Fighting for workers' rights and fair labor practices.
    • Challenging the impact of extractive industries on marginalized communities.
    • Promoting a vision of a sustainable future for the entire Appalachian region, including Black Appalachian communities.

3. Driving National Movements: M4BL and National Bailout Collective

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson's influence extends far beyond the mountains of Tennessee. She serves on the leadership team for the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), a coalition of organizations committed to Black liberation. This role positions her at the forefront of national discussions on racial justice, policy reform, and building long-term political power.

Furthermore, she is a key member of the steering committee for the National Bailout Collective, an organization dedicated to freeing Black people from pretrial incarceration and advocating for the abolition of cash bail. Her involvement in these high-profile national efforts demonstrates her commitment to a holistic approach to justice that addresses both economic exploitation and state-sanctioned violence. Her strategic leadership provides a bridge between the historical organizing tactics of the Highlander Center and the urgent demands of contemporary movements.

4. Guiding the Advancement Project as Board Chair

In a strong testament to her national relevance, Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson is listed as the Chair of the Advancement Project in their 2024 Annual Report. The Advancement Project is a multi-racial, next-generation civil rights organization that works to fulfill the promise of a true multiracial democracy. This leadership position signifies her role as a key decision-maker in a major national organization focused on structural and systemic change, including voting rights, policing reform, and educational equity. Her guidance ensures that the perspective of the working class and marginalized communities, particularly in the South, is central to the organization's national strategy.

5. The Philosophy of "People's Democracy" and Political Education

Henderson’s overarching philosophy centers on building a "people’s democracy." This concept is a direct challenge to traditional, often exclusionary political structures, advocating instead for a system where grassroots power and the voices of the most marginalized are paramount. Her work is heavily focused on political education, a core tenet of the Highlander Center’s mission.

She believes that true liberation requires not just protest, but deep, sustained learning and organizing among communities. By teaching people how to analyze power, understand their rights, and organize effectively, she is helping to cultivate a new generation of leaders. Her speaking engagements, including her participation in the 2024 "Through the Portal" conference, consistently emphasize the need for radical, visionary thinking to dismantle oppressive systems and build a more just world.

Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson’s tireless work, which seamlessly blends the historical lessons of the civil rights movement with the urgent demands of 21st-century activism, cements her status as a crucial leader whose influence will continue to grow in the years to come.

ash lee woodard henderson
ash lee woodard henderson

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