Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A historical figure: "Mother Jones" refers to Mary Harris Jones, a prominent Irish-American labor and community organizer. She was a key figure in the labor movement, known for mobilizing workers and supporting major strikes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
   • A symbolic name: The name "Mother Jones" is also used symbolically to represent advocacy for workers' rights and social justice.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Mother Jones gave powerful speeches to inspire coal miners to unionize.
  • The biography details how Mother Jones fought for the rights of child laborers.
  • Many activists today see Mother Jones as a foundational figure in American labor history.

Advanced Usage

• "A Mother Jones figure": used to describe a person, especially a woman, who is a fierce and compassionate advocate for the underprivileged.
  • The community organizer was hailed as a Mother Jones figure for her tireless work with factory workers.

Variants and Related Words

• "Mother Jones Magazine" (noun): A modern progressive magazine named in honor of Mary Harris Jones, focusing on politics, environment, and social justice.
  • She read an investigative report in Mother Jones Magazine.

Synonyms

• Labor organizer: a person who works to form or join workers into a labor union.
• Activist: a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.
• Agitator: a person who urges others to protest or rebel (can have a neutral or negative connotation).

Related Phrases

• "To have the spirit of Mother Jones": to demonstrate great courage and determination in fighting for a cause, especially for workers.
  • The striking teachers showed they had the spirit of Mother Jones.

Related Idioms

• "Raise hell like Mother Jones": to protest or fight against injustice with exceptional energy and boldness. This idiom directly references her famous quote, "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living."
  • When the company tried to cut benefits, the employees decided to raise hell like Mother Jones.

Noun

1. United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)