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| Photo credit: http://www.biography.com/people/mother-jones-9357488 |
Mary experienced tragedy in her young life. She traveled to Canada with her parents during the Irish potato famine. She became a teacher and a dress maker, and moved to the United States. She married and had 4 children, but her family died during a yellow fever epidemic. She then opened a dress shop in Chicago. She experienced tragedy again when her shop was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
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| Photo Credit:
http://listeningreading.blogspot.com/2010/05/first-great-labor-leader-samuel-gompers.html |
After the fire Mary Harris Jones began her work as a labor activist. She became known as Mother Jones. She often gave speeches to inspire striking workers, from steel workers to miners, brewery employees to women in the garment factory. She was also an outspoken critic against child labor, which was common in America during her time.
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| Photo Credit: Google Images |
In her work, Mother Jones was a founder of the Social Democratic Party and was one of the founders of the Industrial Workers of the World. She is credited for the quote "Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living."
Because of her activities to help working families and the working poor, Mother Jones was arrested several times. In West Virginia, at the age of 82, she was sentenced to twenty years in jail. Thanks to an outcry by her supporters she was granted a pardon by the governor.
Mary Harris "Mother" Jones died in 1930. She is said to have been 100 years old, and worked until the day she died.
Most countries have people in the past who have tried hard to bring reforms to their people. Can you think of anyone from your country? Please tell us about them in the comments below. I would love to hear about them!
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Mary Harris Jones was very good America's labor activist.She helped working families, and was not afraid to speak out about truth.
ReplyDeleteGood job Yelena... Thank you! :-)
DeleteMother Jones. She was a human being strong and eager for others to be overcome. I admire her. In my country, when President Trujillo ruled, had people who did not like. The mother of my husband was exiled until the dictator died. She still continues in their struggle for equality and rights for all, her name is Brunilda Soñé.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a bit of family history. Your mother-in-law sounds like a very interesting person. I hope we will get to meet her one day... :-) Great job!
DeleteHellow...I'm Ruth.
ReplyDeleteWe have many importan people in history of Colombia, Like Manuela Beltran, Antonio Narino,Francisca de Paula Santander,Policarpa Salabarrieta (La Pola)1795-1817 was a Neogranadine Viceroyalty of New Granada.She was captured by Spanish Royalists and ultimately executade for high treason.She was considered
a heroine of the independence of Colombia.
Mary Harris was an amazing women, she put her tragic life on the side and began fighting for people rights ,she was one of the kind.
ReplyDeleteMary Harris was an amazing women, she put her tragic life on the side and began fighting for people rights ,she was one of the kind.
ReplyDeleteMother Jones was a good activist for the families.This part of history makes me believe that anyone can help others aslong as they have the will. since mother jones helped many after facing many tragedies herself.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that very often people who try to bring reforms to their people are simple, humble persons. Communism in Poland started in 1944 and it lasted for 45 years. In 1980, a simple factory worker, Lech Walesa started a huge fight against communism. In 1983 he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Between 1990 and 1995 he was the first President of Poland elected by people. Owing to him now Poland is a democratic country.
ReplyDeleteJoaquin Jose da Silva Chavier (TIRADENTES), He died 1742. On RIO de JANEIRO because he tryed start THE BRASILIAN INDEPENDENCE. We was PORTUGUES COLONY.
ReplyDeleteTHEY KILLED HIM IN PUBLIC SQUARE and separated his body peaces... TERRIBLE!
Joaquin Jose da Silva Chavier (TIRADENTES), He died 1742. On RIO de JANEIRO because he tryed start THE BRASILIAN INDEPENDENCE. We was PORTUGUES COLONY.
ReplyDeleteTHEY KILLED HIM IN PUBLIC SQUARE and separated his body peaces... TERRIBLE!