March 16, 2026 - In late February, Marie Jefferson officially surpassed 50 years of working as a coal miner at the Marion County mine in Metz, West Virginia.

Born in Carolina, West Virginia, Jefferson came back home from New York to the Mountain State with her three kids, looking for a job to support her and her family. After hearing that the mine was hiring women, she applied.

12 News caught up with Jefferson early Friday morning after she had finished a midnight shift underground.

“I had to work anyway, somewhere. So, I might as well have worked here. Evidently, I did okay because I’m still here,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson was the first woman, and the first black woman, to work at the mine in Metz. Fifty years later, she’s looking to keep busy. In fact, 12 News was specifically told by her coworkers not to bring up retirement, with Jefferson saying she doesn’t see herself slowing down despite being 83 years old.

“Since I’m going to have to work, it seems like that’s what I want to do,” Jefferson said. “Because grandpa used to say, ‘idle hands comes to no good’ in other words. So, I try to keep myself busy.”

To honor five decades of service, Jefferson was surprised with a party by her co-workers earlier this month, where she was gifted with anniversary pins from the United Mine Workers Association, a watch and other gifts of appreciation.

Jefferson said it caught her completely off guard.

“It was very surprising, I enjoyed it and it brought tears to my eyes,” Jefferson said.

“Does that happen very often?” 12 News Reporter Dakota Swiger replied.

“No! Cause I’m one of those women, I don’t cry.” Jefferson said.

This celebration was the exception, however.

“Oh yeah, a couple tears did come out of my, out of me even then,” Jefferson said.

When she started out, Jefferson’s father, who was also a coal miner, gave her a piece of advice. Now, she is passing it on to the next generation of women miners.

“Women, when you come in the mines, remember: hear and don’t hear, see and don’t see, and do the job. Enjoy doing the job,” Jefferson said.