If you are from Appalachia, you grow to realize early on, that many people have an image of an Appalachian woman, and they look down on her. The Women of Appalachia Project (WOAP) was created to address discrimination directed at women from the Appalachian region by encouraging participation from women writers of diverse backgrounds, ages and experiences to come together, to embrace the stereotype, to show the whole woman; beyond the superficial factors that people use to judge her. WOAP provide opportunities for a diverse group of woman to share their art, receive recognition and encouragement, and build strong networks so they continue to thrive, while introducing diverse populations to one of Appalachian's greatest assets, its artists. We believe that all women are capable, courageous, creative and inspired.