Mary Harris Jones
1
8.1
- proper noun
- Known affectionately as 'Mother Jones', Mary Harris Jones mobilized thousands to fight for better labor conditions.
Examples
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As a passionate activist, Mary Harris Jones earned the nickname 'Mother Jones' among miners.
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Mary Harris Jones led several important strikes to improve conditions for workers in the early 20th century.
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The legacy of Mary Harris Jones continues to inspire labor movements around the world.
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The famous labor leader Mary Harris Jones fought for workers' rights.
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Did Mary Harris Jones really organize strikes in the 1900s?
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Mary Harris Jones was instrumental in the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World, advocating tirelessly for workers' rights.
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Throughout her life, Mary Harris Jones championed the cause of coal miners, earning their enduring respect.
Synonyms
4
8.8
An Irish-born American leader who fights for better pay and safety for workers
Surface Forms
Morphology
Mary + Harris + Jones
This is a personal name composed of given and family names; knowing the words 'Mary', 'Harris', and 'Jones' does not allow a B1 learner to infer the person’s identity, historical role, or that she was an Irish‑born American labor leader. Proper names are referential rather than compositional and require specific world knowledge or exposure, so the meaning is not derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
Mary Harris Jones belongs to a strong labor leader from Ireland who traveled around to help miners and factory workers and was called 'Mother Jones'. Because she stood with workers in hard times, her name now reminds people of brave, caring leadership for workers' rights.