A Raleigh County native, Bonds highlighted the environmental and health impacts of mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. Raised in the Coal River Valley, her activism was deeply personal, shaped by witnessing the devastation caused by the coal industry, including her father's death from black lung disease. Bonds fought against the toxic effects of mountaintop removal, including polluted air and water, through her work with Coal River Mountain Watch. As outreach director, she brought national attention to the issue, blending environmental justice with a strong pride in her Appalachian roots. Her legacy endures in films documenting the struggles of coalfield communities.