Mary Harris Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mother Jones
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| Born | August 1, 1837 |
| Died | November 30, 1930 |
| Occupation | Labor and community organizer |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party and Socialist Party of America |
Mary Harris Jones (born in 1837, died November 30, 1930) was an important American activist. She started her career as a schoolteacher and a tailor.
In 1867, a terrible epidemic of yellow fever took the lives of her husband and their four children. A few years later, in 1871, a big fire in Chicago destroyed her workshop. She lost everything she owned.
After these difficult times, Mary Harris Jones found a new purpose. She joined the Knights of Labor. This was a group of workers who fought for better rights. They even welcomed Black people and women. From then on, she became very active in the labor movement. She worked hard to get better working conditions and fairer pay for workers. In 1905, she helped start the Industrial Workers of the World, which was a major trade union.
Mary Harris Jones was an amazing speaker. She used stories to make her speeches interesting. She also encouraged her audience to join in. In 1897, when she was 60 years old, people started calling her "Mother Jones."
Fighting for Children's Rights
Mother Jones cared deeply about children. In 1903, she was very upset about how badly children were treated at work. Many children worked long hours in dangerous places.
To protest this, she organized a special march. Children walked all the way from Philadelphia to the home of President Roosevelt in New York. This march helped show everyone the unfair conditions children faced.
Honors and Legacy
Mother Jones continued to fight for workers' rights for many years. Her efforts made a big difference in the lives of many people.
In 1992, she was honored by the United States Department of Labor. She was added to their Hall of Honor. This recognized her important work and dedication to improving workers' lives.
Images for kids
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The Mother Jones Memorial near her birthplace in Cork, Ireland
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Mother Jones' burial site at the Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, Illinois
See also
In Spanish: Mary Harris para niños
