Mother Jones: One Womans Fight for Labor

Mother Jones, in her prim black dress & steel-rimmed glasses, looked like someone's frail grandmother. In reality, she was one of America's most dynamic & effective union organizers. Born into poverty & strife in Ireland in the mid-1830s, she immigrated to the U.S. & later channeled her prodigious energy & gift for oratory into outspoken support on behalf of America's laborers. With her flair for drama & controversy, Mother Jones brought the plight of children toiling in the textile mills to the attention of the American public & urged workers in coal mines, steel mills, & other industries to stand up for their rights. She bullied gov't. officials & was fearless before bus. leaders. Active well into her 90s, she died a legend of courage & change. Illustrations.