Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, an ardent supporter of workers’ rights and the elimination of child labor, spent a considerable amount of time in Illinois. Born in Ireland in 1837, Jones immigrated to the United States in her teens and moved to Chicago in her early 20s. She worked as a dressmaker before moving to Memphis and starting a family with iron molder George Jones.

After a widespread yellow fever epidemic took the lives of George and the couple’s four children, Mary moved back to Chicago and again made a living as a dressmaker. It was during this time that Jones took an increased interest in the role of unions and advocating on behalf of coal miners and other workers. 

Jones played an integral role in rallying United Mine Workers for better working conditions and wages and would go on to participate in numerous strikes across the nation. She was known as “Mother Jones” by many in organized labor due to her caring nature and maternal attributes toward the thousands of workers she fought on behalf of. 

At a time of great racial strife and inequality, Jones preached unity, bridging the racial divide between African-Americans and whites during coal strikes in rural Alabama and reached out to marginalized Mexican-American and Italian-American workers in the southwest.

Mary Jones passed away on November 30, 1930, and is buried in Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive.

Learn more:
Read more about the life and accomplishments of Mother Jones from the AFL-CIO