A Mercer County native, Dickens was a pioneering musician who preserved West Virginia’s traditional vocal styles while supporting coal miners, labor unions, and working-class people. Her songs, like "West Virginia, My Home" and "Black Lung," captured both personal connections and political struggles.

Her collaborations with Alice Gerrard influenced bluegrass and folk music. Recognized with awards such as a National Heritage Fellowship and induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, Dickens' legacy extends beyond music into social activism.