Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
(1837-1930)
The most dangerous woman in America
Usually adorned in all black with a height pushing five feet, most people would never think Mary Harris "Mother" Jones would be capable of anything. That is, until she opened her mouth.
Mary Harris was born in Cork County, Ireland in around 1837 but immigrated to North America as a young child so her family could avoid starvation. In her early twenties, Harris worked as a dressmaker in Chicago until she moved to Tennessee where she met future husband George Jones. The two had four children, but a yellow fever outbreak wiped out Mary Jones' husband and all of her children. Heartbroken, she returned to Chicago and sewed dresses for the wealthy.
Jones' interest in the labor movement began as she watched her well-off patrons ignore those on the streets, glances passing over them without a second look. In the Chicago Fire of 1871, Jones once again lost everything and began more extensive travel.
Jones' travels led her to Birmingham, Alabama where she assisted mines in a national strike. She also organized a show of support for Eugene Debs while he was imprisoned for six months. Although Jones helped all sorts of people in their fights for rights, Mother Jones really stuck with women and coal miners. She was a "fiery orator and fearless organizer" for the Mine Workers in the early 1900s. Her energy, enthusiasm, persistence and eloquence inspired men and women alike, cajoling even young daughters to join protests. If her speeches didn't work, Jones humiliated men in attempts to convince them to join the cause. Mother Jones never stepped down, and was incarcerated multiple times for her efforts.
Although Jones lost her four blood children, she gained thousands of children in the coal miners, women and children she motivated throughout her long life. Mother Jones revitalized the fights for better working circumstances and in the process proved that women can be just as courageous and feared as men.
Mary Harris was born in Cork County, Ireland in around 1837 but immigrated to North America as a young child so her family could avoid starvation. In her early twenties, Harris worked as a dressmaker in Chicago until she moved to Tennessee where she met future husband George Jones. The two had four children, but a yellow fever outbreak wiped out Mary Jones' husband and all of her children. Heartbroken, she returned to Chicago and sewed dresses for the wealthy.
Jones' interest in the labor movement began as she watched her well-off patrons ignore those on the streets, glances passing over them without a second look. In the Chicago Fire of 1871, Jones once again lost everything and began more extensive travel.
Jones' travels led her to Birmingham, Alabama where she assisted mines in a national strike. She also organized a show of support for Eugene Debs while he was imprisoned for six months. Although Jones helped all sorts of people in their fights for rights, Mother Jones really stuck with women and coal miners. She was a "fiery orator and fearless organizer" for the Mine Workers in the early 1900s. Her energy, enthusiasm, persistence and eloquence inspired men and women alike, cajoling even young daughters to join protests. If her speeches didn't work, Jones humiliated men in attempts to convince them to join the cause. Mother Jones never stepped down, and was incarcerated multiple times for her efforts.
Although Jones lost her four blood children, she gained thousands of children in the coal miners, women and children she motivated throughout her long life. Mother Jones revitalized the fights for better working circumstances and in the process proved that women can be just as courageous and feared as men.