Mary Harris Jones

Fearless labor organizer who pioneered workers' rights and child labor reforms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Mary Harris Jones, widely known as 'Mother Jones', was a trailblazing labor organizer and activist whose relentless efforts reshaped workers' rights in the United States. Born in 1837, she endured personal tragedies, including the loss of her family to yellow fever and her home in the Great Chicago Fire, which fueled her passion for social justice.

Jones became a pivotal figure in the labor movement, famously stating, 'Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.' She organized major strikes, including the 1903 Children's Crusade, marching child laborers from Pennsylvania to President Theodore Roosevelt's New York home to expose exploitative practices. Her advocacy led to significant reforms, including reduced working hours and safer conditions.

As a co-founder of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Jones championed unity among workers across racial and gender lines, a radical idea at the time. Her fiery speeches and unyielding resolve inspired generations of activists, cementing her legacy as a symbol of grassroots labor organizing.