Women in Labor Union History

Perhaps the most popular female social and labor reformer was Mother Jones. During her lifetime, Mother Jones was known to working folk as "The Miners' Angel." Persevering in her efforts despite the many tragic events she witnessed, her fierce determination was vividly expressed in her famous declaration, "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." A gradually growing interest in labor union issues and in radical politics led her to become active by her late 50's as a white-haired radical labor organizer. She turned to the nascent labor movement and joined the Knights of Labor. Active as an organizer and educator in strikes throughout the country at the time, she was particularly involved with the United Mine Workers (UMW) and the Socialist Party of America . As a union organizer, she gained prominence for organizing the wives and children of striking workers in demonstrations on their behalf. She became known as "the most dangerous woman in America." Later, in the twentieth century, she began o focus on eliminating child labor, known as her Children's Crusade.