Definition

Proper noun: - Mary Harris Jones: A United States labor leader and community organizer, born in Ireland. She was a prominent and influential figure in the American labor movement, particularly known for her activism among coal miners and for helping to found the radical industrial union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The history of American labor is incomplete without mentioning the fierce advocacy of Mary Harris Jones.
  • The biography detailed how Mary Harris Jones traveled from one mining camp to another, organizing workers.

Advanced Usage

• "Mother Jones": This is the well-known nickname for Mary Harris Jones, under which she gained national fame. It is often used interchangeably with her full name.
  • The magazine named after her, Mother Jones, continues her legacy of investigative journalism and social activism.

Variants and Related Words

• Mother Jones (proper noun): The iconic nickname for Mary Harris Jones.
  • Mother Jones was known for her fiery speeches and unwavering commitment to workers' rights.

Synonyms

• Labor organizer: A person who works to unionize workers.
• Activist: A person who campaigns for social or political change.
• Union leader: A person who leads a labor union.

Related Phrases

• To agitate for (workers' rights): To campaign vigorously for a cause.
  • Like Mary Harris Jones, she spent her life agitating for better pay and safer conditions.

Related Idioms

• A force to be reckoned with: A person or thing of significant power or influence that must be taken seriously.
  • With her powerful oratory and fearless demeanor, Mary Harris Jones was a force to be reckoned with in the fight for labor reform.

Noun

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