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Mother Jones
May 9, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Chances are you’ve never heard of Mother Jones, but this is a story you’ll want to hear. Born Mary Harris in Cork Co. Ireland, she immigrated with her parents to Canada as a teen and then to the United States as an adult. She lost her husband and four children in the Yellow Fever outbreak in Memphis in 1867. She left Memphis and moved to Chicago, opening her own dress shop which she then lost in the Great Chicago Fire. Next, she joined the Knights of Labor and became active in strike organization. Her involvement in the labor movement continued to grow until she was labeled by one US Attorney as “The most dangerous woman in America.” She was particularly passionate about protecting children. On May 17th a plaque will be installed on the Greenway in her honor, the first plaque honoring the labor movement to be installed in Indiana. Come learn more about this strong, fascinating woman who so influenced our country.
Our speaker is Steve Bottoms, a labor history researcher as well as a former Gibson County Commissioner. He worked for Whirlpool, and at union coal mines in the 1970’s.
Presentation will be in the Browning Gallery at Willard Public Library.
This presentation is a joint program of the Tri-State Genealogical Society and Willard Public Library