Mary Harris “Mother” Jones

Thursday, January 01, 1903

Mary Harris “Mother” Jones was born in Ireland in 1837 and immigrated first to Canada and then the United States around 1860. Jones was an activist and labor organizer who advocated for working families such as miners, railroad workers, and factory workers. Jones led several workers’ strikes during. Additionally, in 1903, Jones led the “March of the Mill Children” to draw attention harsh child labor practices. Jones marched from Philadelphia to New York City and to President Theodore Roosevelt’s home on Long Island, New York. The magazine Mother Jones was first published in 1976 and is named after her.