Mary Jones: The Progressive Era

The 1890s-1920s is what is referred to today as the Progressive Era. This was a time in which many people rose to push their beliefs and create a better future for America. These people called themselves progressives and they would make America the place we know today. They addressed important issues such as women’s rights, working conditions, and temperance. One such reformer was a woman named Mary Harris Jones. Mary Jones, later known as Mother Jones, was one of the most successful and effective progressive reformers of all time due to her experiences, work in labor agitation, and effective speeches.

Born in Ireland, 1837, Mary Harris led a difficult life; these challenges that she faced would cause her to become the powerful progressive

She was now getting into the field of labor agitation and would change America forever. In 1903, she organized a march in which children, mutilated from their jobs, marched the streets to the home of Theodore Roosevelt in order to draw attention to the grueling and wicked child labor laws. “Federal laws against child labor would not come for decades, but for two months that summer, Mother Jones, with her street theater and speeches, made the issue front-page news.” This shows how after several attempts from previous progressive reformers, Jones was the only one whose protests were powerful and effective enough to open people’s eyes to the issues. A reason that Jones had become so effective was that of her exploration and observations. She frequently visited factories to observe the cruel working conditions in which people worked in and interviewed workers to get a feel for them and understand the brutality of the work. She stated herself that because of rough conditions, “The brain is so crushed as to be incapable of thinking, and one who mingles with these people soon discovers that their minds like their bodies are wrecked. Loss of sleep and loss of rest gives rise to abnormal appetites, indigestion, shrinkage of statue, bent backs and aching hearts.” By examining workplaces, she was able to gather empathy and sympathy for the workers who were suffering.

She had quite a presence whenever she prepared to give one of her powerful speeches. “People who saw her stand up to speak at union gatherings were at first taken in by her kindly, demure (modest) look. But there was nothing at all demure about what Jones had to say, and she did not shrink from saying it loudly, in strong, plain words”. Her ability to turn people’s and expectations and take them by surprise helped create interest among audiences, allowing them to pay attention to what she says. Along with this, Mother Jones was able to create a sense of connection and relatability between her and her audience. With an informal writing style, people were able to feel her as an equal, making her the perfect representative for what they were fighting for. “Jones spoke the language of the streets, and her speeches were dotted with swear words. The rough and unskilled workers in the newly developing factories loved her style.” By allowing workers to feel as if she was one of them and was truly with them and on their side, Jones was very well liked and admired, an essential trait that allowed her to become as successful as she was. Not only was her presence effective, but she had very intriguing and captivating speeches. By using her talent for public spectacle along with conventional notions of womanhood, she was able to grasp and maintain an audience as well as get