This Pocahontas County native's ability to capture the essence of Appalachian life with such technical skill, coupled with her unflinching use of local dialects, sets her apart as a distinctive voice in American poetry. Her first full-length book of poetry, <em>Gauley Mountain</em>, revealed McNeill's great technical skill to create a masterful range of imagery and rhythm.

McNeill’s poetry resonated deeply with West Virginians but also with a broader audience, especially through her later works like The Milkweed Ladies and Hill Daughter. The inclusion of historical and personal context, such as her reflections on the atomic bomb, underscores her range as both a poet and a thinker. Her legacy as a teacher and as West Virginia's poet laureate (1979-1993) speaks to her influence not only in literature but also in education.