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Endorsers - Chicago Statue Campaign

Thanks to all who have donated & endorsed the Mother Jones Chicago

Statue project. We are half-way there! Add your name today.

 

Rodrick Dixon & Alfreda Burke,  World-renowned singers of opera, jazz, gospel

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“Mother Jones is a great ambassador for our city.  Her story rings the bells of freedom, justice, equity and equality for all. .  . .   Her time has come for this recognition and many in years to come will enjoy learning about her contributions.”

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Musicians

 

Tom Morello

​Rich Daniels,  Music Director, City Lights Orchestra 

20th Century Fox TV/Empire/Ordinary Joe  Senior Board Member, Chicago Federation of Musicians

​Catherine O'Connell,   Irish Singer and Recording Artist

​Rodrick Dixon,Tenor & Alfreda Burke, Soprano

    World-renowned  Singers of Opera, Jazz, and Gospel,

​​Liz Carroll, Irish American Musician Fiddler and Composer

Sean P. Ryan, Irish Traditional Musician

Katie Grennan, Irish Fiddle and Arts Educator

women

Women’s Organizations

 

Working Women’s History Project

American Association University Women, Chicago Branch

Coalition of Labor Union Women, Pres. Katie Jordan

League of Women Voters, Chicago Branch

Chicago Women Take Action

Chicago Women in the Trades , Ex. Dir. Jayne Vellinga

Chicago Women Take Action, Pres. Caroline Gibbons

Coalition of Labor Union Women, Southwestern Pennsylvania

On behalf of SWPA CLUW we stand in Solidarity with those that support a statue to recognize Mother Jones, a champion for the working class. We are forever grateful of the sacrifices she made. Her legacy has made every woman leader strive for excellence in the Labor Movement.

Chicago Women Take Action, Jackie Grimshaw, Chair

Supporting women who make a difference in peoples lives is what we espouse. Recognizing Mother Jones in downtown Chicago  would make locals and visitors alike aware of her contribution to those in need.

Chicago Women's History Center, Mary Ann A. Johnson, President

I whole heartedly endorse the effort to establish a statue in Chicago commemorating the important work and legacy of the fearless agitator for worker's rights, Mother Jones. Recognizing that the representation of women's contributions to Chicago are almost non-existent it is imperative that we immediately begin to correct this glaring omission. A statue honoring Mother Jones, placed in a central location in the city, will be help to elevate the often overlooked but essential histories of women, immigrants, workers, and ethnic groups and their contributions to our city.

Organizations

Clarence Darrow Commemorative Committee

National Lawyers Guild, Chicago

Judy Ancel, Cross Border Network

"We need many statues of her across the nation to inspire future Mother Joneses."

Pennsylvania Labor History Society

Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education, Chicago, Pres. Daniel Lopez Ph.D.

“Honoring an immigrant woman who chose to lead a nontraditional life, different from the gender expectations of her day, has a special resonance as we see women continue to make strides and take center stage in the life of the nation.

Peter Rachleff, East Side Freedom Library, St. Paul, MN

The East Side Freedom Library's mission is to inspire solidarity, work for justice, and advocate for equity for all. We see Mother Jones as an icon of this mission, and we are enthusiastic to see a statue.

Irish & Orgs

Irish & Irish-American Individuals & Endorsers

 

Ireland's Consulate for Chicago and the Midwest

​Cork Spirit of Mother Jones Festival

​Irish American Heritage Center

​Austin Kelly,  Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Committee

Mary Pat Kelly

Author and Filmmaker  Galway Bay, Of Irish Blood, Irish Above All, Proud: the USS Mason, Martin Scorsese: A Journey

“Cork-born Mary Harris “Mother” Jones embodied the feminine energy that shaped Ireland generation after generation and remade America.   From the Iron Age Queen Maeve through the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley right up to Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese, Irish women lead – intrepid, unafraid, there – they stand up for the poor and marginalized.  They survive.  Mother Jones endured unimaginable personal loss – the death of her husband and three children – and went forth in their names to fight for justice.  She chose Chicago as her base and now will be with us forever.”

Kathy Cowan,   Singer, Teacher, Actor

 “The world is a better place because of her fortitude, bravery and loving-kindness.  Mother Jones deserves to be recognized by the city of Chicago with a statue.  Thank you.”

Therese M. Boyle, retired school psychologist

Rev. Tom Hurley Pastor, Old St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago, IL

Jim Houlihan, retired Cook County official

Unions

Unions

United Mine Workers of America, Cecil Roberts President

Sara Nelson, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

​Chicago Teachers Union #1,  Pres Jessie Sharkey, VP Stacy Davis Gates

United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers  #11, Gary Menzel, Pres/ Business Manager:

"Bringing a statue of a champion of labor to the City of Broad Shoulders is only fitting in the 21st. century. To have a statue of Mother Jones who was a voice for labor attached to the city of Chicago would let everyone know that Chicago was built by the working class."

Bakery, Confectionary Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union, Antony L. Shelton, Pres.

Illinois Education Association, Pres. Kathy Griffin

​International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Council #1, Pres James Allen

​Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council

​​Laborers International of North America, Pres. Terence O’Sullivan

​Painters District Council #1, Pres James Spiros

​Plumbers Local 130, Pres James Coyne

​International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, Pres Don Finn

​International Union of Operating Engineers #150

​United Auto Workers Region 4, Ronald D. McInroy, Director

​​United Steelworkers Sub-district 1, Director Anthony Alfano

​Teamsters Joint Council 25, Pres. Terrence Hancock

​The Chicago Federation of Musicians, Local 10-208, Pres. Terry Jares

​Service Employees International Union Healthcare IL/IN/MO/KS, Pres Greg Kelley

​Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, Raymond Suggs, Pres & Bus. Mgr

​Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Union Local no. 281, Bus. Mgr Thomas M. Collins

Carl Rosen, United Electrical, Radio, Machine Workers

Mother Jones is more than overdue for recognition by the City of Chicago. A prominent monument for her is an important part of telling the history of the working class, the labor movement and women in Chicago.

Political Figures

Political Leaders

Alderman Brendan Reilly, 1st ward       

Alderman Susan Sadlowski Garza, 10th Ward 

 Alderman Matt O'Shea, 19th ward

Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez, 22nd Ward

​Alderman Samantha Nugent , 39th ward 

​​Alderman Andre Vazquez, 40th ward       

​Alderman Matt Martin, 47th ward

State Representative Lindsay LaPoint , 19th district  

Senator Antonio Munoz, 1st district, Assistant Senate Majority  

John Cullerton,  Retired Illinois State Senate President

Attorneys

Attorneys

National Lawyers Guild, Chicago Chapter​

Thomas Geoghegan, Depres, Schwartz and Geoghegan, Ltd.

Michael Persoon, Depres, Schwartz and Geoghegan, Ltd.

Anne Davis

Michael Schorsch, Esq.

Robert E. Lehrer Law Offices, Robert E. Lahrer

Al Domanskis Boodell and Domanskis, LLC

John Moran The Moran Group

Susan G. Feibus Law Offices of Susan G. Feibus

Julia Nowicki Judge (ret) Cook County Circuit Court

Robert Cohen

Patrick E. Deady  Hogan and Marren Ltd.

Stephen B. Goldberg Northwestern School of Law

Dan Morrissey

Mike Kralovec

Susan Gzesh, Hughes, Socol, Piers, Resnik and Dym

Tom Allison Allison,  Slutsky, and Kennedy, ret.

Joseph E. Tilson, Esq.

F. Thomas Hecht

Matt Martin, Alderman, 47th ward

Thomas Anthony Durkin, Durkin & Roberts

Denise DeBelle, Law Offices of Denise M. DeBelle

Susan Kaplan

Joanne Kinoy

James Fennery

Karen Simpson

Endorsements

Historians

David Roediger, University of Kansas

Eric Foner, Columbia University

Michelle Nickerson, Loyola University Chicago

Tim Gilfoyle, Loyola University Chicago

Timothy Spears, Middlebury College

Susan Schulten, University of Denver

Robert Orsi, Northwestern University

Carl Smith, Northwestern University

Alessandro Portelli, University of Rome La Sapienza

Zeese Papanicolas, San Francisco Art Institute

Patrick Miller Northeastern Illinois University

Bruce Levine, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

"A crucial figure in the history of Illinois and working people nationally. "

Brad Hunt, Loyola University Chicago

Lynn Dumenil, Occidental College

Susan Ware, General Editor, Dictionary of American Biography

Alice Kessler-Harris, Columbia University

Kevin Boyle, Northwestern University

Fred Hoxie, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Laura Edwards, Princeton University

Marcus Rediker, Univerty of Pittsburgh

James Barrett, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Julie Greene, University of Maryland

Norman S. Cohen, Occidental College

Sheyda Jahanbani, University of Kansas

Thomas Jundt, Collegiate Prep School, NYC

Sean Dinces, Long Beach Community College

Will Jones, University of Minnesota

Dana Rabin, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Emily E. LB. Twarog, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Erik McDuffie, History and Af-Am Studies, U of Illinois

Michael D. Innis-Jimenez, University of Alabama

Robert D. Johnston, University of Illinois, Chicago

Tikia K. Hamilton, Loyola University Chicago

Erik Gellman, University of North Carolina

John D’Emilio, University of Illinois, Chicago

Jeffrey Helgeson, Texas State University

Kevin M. Schulz, University of Illinois, Chicago

Daniel Graff, University of Notre Dame

Brad Hunt, Loyola University Chicago

Joseph Bigott, Purdue University Northwest

Rosemary Feurer, Northern Illinois University

Steven K Ashby, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Elizabeth S. Todd-Breland, University of Illinois, Chicago

Nancy Maclean, Duke University

Antoinette M. Burton, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Gabe Winant, University of Chicago

Christina Groeger, Lake Forest College

Jonathan Levy, University of Chicago

Amy Dru Stanley, University of Chicago

Peter Cole, Western Illinois University

Marcia Walker-McWilliams, UChicago, Black Metropolis Consortium

Dominic Pacyga, Columbia College

Ellen Skerrett, Independent Scholar

Suellen Hoy, Notre Dame University

Walter T.K. Nugent, Notre Dame University

Bill Savage, Northwestern University

Erin McCarthy, Columbia College

Carlo Rotella, Boston College

Ann Keating, North Central College

William Sites, University of Chicago

Elliott Gorn, Loyola University Chicago

Kathryn Oberdeck, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Cathy Cohen, University of Chicago

David Bates, Concordia University, Chicago

Ted Karamanski, Loyola University Chicago

Gema Santamaria, Loyola University Chicago

Benjamin Johnson, Loyola University Chicago

Susan Hirsch, Loyola University Chicago

Lewis Erenberg, Loyola University Chicago

Robert Bucholz, Loyola University Chicago

Tanya Stabler, Loyola University Chicago

Elizabeth Tandy Shermer, Loyola University Chicago

Andrew Wilson, Loyola University Chicago

Patricia Mooney-Melvin, Loyola University Chicago

Amy Tyson, DePaul University

Tobias Higbie, University of California Los Angeles,

Coleen Doody, DePaul University

Miles Harvey, DePaul University

Rene Luis Alverez, Loyola University Chicago

John Donoghue, Loyola University Chicago

Deborah Cohen, Northwestern University

Trude Jacobsen, Northern Illinois University 

E. Taylor Atkins, Northern Illinois University

Kristin Huffine, Northern Illinois University

Beatrix Hoffman, Northern Illinois University

Sean Farrell,  Northern Illinois University 

Brian Sandberg, Northern Illinois University

 Valerie Garver, Northern Illinois University

 Damian Fernandez, Northern Illinois University

 Eric Mogren, Northern Illinois University

 James D. Schmidt, Northern Illinois University

 Aaron Fogelman, Northern Illinois University 

Andy Bruno, Northern Illinois University

 Sarah Frohardt-Lane, Ripon College

Nick Juravich, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Edin Hajdarpasic, Loyola University Chicago

Alice Weinreb, Loyola University Chicago

Aidan Forth, MacEwan University

Michael Honey, University of Washington, Tacoma

Natalie Joy, Northern Illinois University

Emma Kuby, Northern Illinois University

John French, Duke University

Michael Botson, Houston Community College

Benjamin Sorensen, Cape Fear Community College

Mother Jones deserves a statue in her honor, as she was seminal in organizing for worker power and labor rights. This woman "mourn[ed] for the dead, but [fought] like hell for the living!

Colleen O'Neill, Utah State University

Thomas L. Dublin, State University of New York at Binghamton

Cecelia Bucki    Fairfield University, CT

Greg Hall, Western Illinois University

Lou Martin, Chatham University

Mother Jones was one of the strongest voices for working people in the early 20th century. By speaking truth to power and standing with workers in the darkest hours, she was an inspiration to many thousands across the country.

Lilia Fernandez, Rutgers University

Lara Vapnek, St. John's University

Ken Fones-Wolf, West Virginia University

Holger Droessler, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Chris Wright, City University of New York

Eric Fure-Slocum, St. Olaf College

Robyn Muncy, University of Maryland

Joe Berry, College of San Francisco

Heather Ann Thompson, University of Michigan

Gordon Mantler, George Washington University

Lorenzo Costaguta, University of Bristol

Elizabeth McKilen, University of Maine

Jim Beauchesne, Lawrence Heritage State Park

Caroline Waldron, University of Dayton

David Witwer, Penn State University

Nathan Godfried, Univeristy of Maine

Anthonio Ramirez, Elgin Community College

Mary Ann Trasciatti, Hofstra University

Sam Mitrani, College of DuPage

Kristoffer Smemo, Washington University

Patrick Dixon, Georgetown University

Shelton Stromquist, University of Iowa

Laurie Mercier, Vancouver Washington

We need more public memorials documenting America's labor history!

John McKerley, University of Iowa

Nancy Quam Wickham California State University-Long Beach

Alan Derickson, Penn State

Joshua B. Freeman, Queens College and Graduate Center

Darryl Heller, Indiana University-South Bend

Ryan Dearinger, Eastern Oregon University-LaGrande

Daniel Gilbert, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Nancy Quam-Wickham, California State University

Brian Kelly, Queen’s University Belfast

Ben Whisenhunt, College of DuPage 

Peter Rachleff, East Side Freedom Library, St. Paul, Minnesota 

James Young, Edinboro University

David Brody, University of California-Davis

Ian Rocksborough-Smith, History, University of the Fraser Valley

Brian Greenberg, Monmouth University 

Lois Rita Helmbold, San Jose State University 

Daniel Clark, Oakland University-Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jason Resnikoff, Columbia University

Liesl Orenic, Dominican University-Chicago

Dana Frank, University of California-Santa Cruz

Christopher Phelps, University of Nottingham 

Dave Kamper, New Brookwood Labor College

Di Kelly, University of Wollongong, Australia

"Even in Australia, we respect the wonderful achievements, and believe a Mother Jones statue is a signal of respect. "

Ian Rocksborough-Smith, University of the Fraser Valley, British Columbia’

Naomi R Williams, Rutgers University

Fred Glass, City College of San Francisco

Working people deserve to know their history and their heroes. A public monument to Mother Jones would help fill in that gap.

Nancy Gabin, Purdue University

Francis Shor, Wayne State University

Michael Dennis, Acadia University, Nova Scotia

Greg Geddes, SUNY Orange County Community College

Aimee Loiselle, Smith College

Mother Jones was a dedicated organizer, inspiring speaker, and brilliant strategist who established a potent public presence.

Jennifer Sherer, University of Iowa

Robert Forrant, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Carol Quirke, SUNY Old Westbury

Tula Connell, Independent Scholar, Washington D. C.

Cindy Hahamovitch, University of Georgia-Athens

Karen Miller, CUNY LaGuardia

David Brundage, University of California Santa Cruz

Joseph A. McCartin, Georgetown University

Julia Smith, University of Manitoba-Winnipeg

Paul C. Mishler, Indiana University-South Bend

Cathy Brigden, RMIT University, Victoria, Australia

Ron Schatz, Wesleyan University

Eileen Boris, University of California-Santa Barbera

"A long held dream for honoring women and workers!"

Al Campbell, University of Utah

Francis Ryan, Rutgers University

Seth Widgerson, University of Maine-Augusta

Ron Lind, San Jose City College

Grace Reinke, University of Washington-Seattle

David Dennis, Loyola University Chicago

Juanita Del Toro, Harold Washington College

David Zonderman, North Carolina State University

"A figure in American and labor history well worth honoring with a statue"

Mark Lause, University of Cincinnati

Jack Metzgar, Roosevelt University

Carl Weinberg, Indiana University

Sean Carleton, University of Manitoba

Jillian Marie Jacklin, University of Wisconsin -Green Bay 

Brian Leech, Augustana College

Jeff Schuhrke, University of Illinois at Chicago

David Hamilton Golland, Governors State University

Jay Winston Driskell, Historical Research and Consulting

Michael Goldfield Wayne State University

Trish Kahle, Georgetown University Qatar

Sharon McConnell-Sidorick, Independent Scholar

Dan Sidorick, Rutgers University

Eileen Eagan, University of Southern Maine 

Matthew Simmons, University of South Florida 

David Marquis, College of William & Mary

Tami J. Friedman, Brock University

Ellie Walsh, Governors State University  

Pat Reeve, Suffolk University

  

Historians

I've heard of Mother Jones forever, but only recently learned what an amazing woman and organizer she was... and especially given the lack of statues of important females in Chicago -- I believe she will be a wonderful addition. The proposed location downtown, near her old sewing shop, would be a great choice!! --Marian Sirefman, Oak Park, IL -statue donor

As a native of Chicago I value the rich tradition of labor struggles in the city's history and think a statue to the best known and most revered woman in U.S. labor history can only enhance Chicago and the pride workers and especially women workers feel to be a part of the labor community of Chicago and Illinois. --Judy Ancel, Cross-Border Network

Grassroots

Grassroots

Judie Moore Green, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Susan C. Flashman, Pres Maryland/DC Alliance for Retired Americans

MicheleDuster, Ph.D. 

author and champion of racial and gender equity;

Great-Granddaughter Ida B. Wells

Katie Jordan, Illinois Labor History Society and Coalition of Labor Union Women

Jacquelyn Kirley, Working Women's History Project

We need to have visual support for Chicago's labor background and the women who fought for it.

Keith Kelliher, retired president, SEIU

Helen Ramirez-Odell, retired teacher, CTU

Kassandra Tsitsopoulos

We desperately need more statues of women in the city of Chicago. Mother Jones was a tireless fighter for workers of all ages to push for better working conditions. Chicago is a union town and needs to uplift these types of voices.

Colleen White, Kansas City Missouri

I grew up in Chicago and was always amazed at the statues in the City. However, the City is sadly lacking a statute that remembers a strident advocate for the downtrodden and working folks.  I would appreciate your support of placing a statute of Mother Jones, who is a figure that represents these downtrodden and working folks, in the City.  Plus I am as Irish as many Chicagoans, and it would be nice to see our heritage represented.  Thank you.

Julie Quirin, IEASO

Mother Jones will be an excellent addition to downtown Chicago!  Let Mother stand for all of Illinois!

Patrick Murfin, Tree of Life UU Congregation Social Justice Team

I am a former General Secretary-Treasurer and newspaper editor for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) which Mother Jones helped found.  As an amateur labor historian and active blogger (Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout) I have written extensively about Mary Harris Jones and her essential role in the American labor movement. I am also a social justice activist for more than fifty years.  No one is better deserving of a memorial statue than “the most dangerous woman alive.”

Ellen C. Garza, Chicago IL

Susan Ridgeway, Canton Ohio

No one deserves this memorial more than Mary Harris. May her memory be an example for us all.

James Tibensky, Wayne, IL

Mother Jones was an important force in the drive to make unions a reality for American workers. She had deep Chicago roots. A statue of her in Chicago would be a great recognition of her impact and that of labor unions everywhere. We are a proud union family and urge the City of Chicago to erect a statue of Mother Mary Jones.

John Risch, North Dakota

She was the most courageous labor leader in American history.

Nancy Keiser,  Utah

Donald A. Daeke, M.D.

The labor movement is of critical importance and is well commemorated by Mother Jones' remembrance.

Jeff Fites, Michigan

This remarkable woman epidomises the strength of our nation and the respect for working women and men for which the city of Chicago is known. In honoring Mother Jones, the "City of Big Shoulders" elevates the dignity and values of fair wages, safe working conditions and respect for working people, whose big shoulders built this country we love.  

John Zurzaw, Oak Park, IL

Margaret Burk,

An important tribute to a woman who fought for justice for all people.

William Arnold, Alaska

Mother Jones was an inspiration to very many Americans (and others) as she kept the hope of E Pluribus Unum alive.

Julia McSweeney, Retired CTU member /South Side Irish Parade Committee Member

​Carol Levine, Chicago Women Take Action

Chicagoans will be inspired by learning about the work of Mother Jones.

Anton Savoir, Teamsters for a Democratic Union, Kansas City, Missouri

The recognition of labor's history and struggles is mandatory for labors growth and development. I am reminded that a people who don't know their history are condemned to repeat it. We must do all that is possible to build an active and viable labor movement.

Michael Sacco, IBEW Local 21

A necessary addition to our great city's important working class history.

Peter Kuttner, IATSE Local 600

Chicago is a city of working people, the kind of people Mother Jones served so well.

Kathleen Wiegert, Chicago, Illinois

Mother Jones changed lives and helped all of us understand the importance of standing up for social justice.

Tim Tuten, The Hideout

Mother Jones epitomizes the Chicago Spirit. She survived The Chicago Fire of 1871, to come out even more empathetic and stronger for the working people. Her statute should be centrally located and prominent for all too see and be inspired by! My only request is that it be built twice as tall!

Mike Thomas, Chicago IL

I whole heartedly endorse the placing of the Mother Jones statue at Wacker and Michigan.

Sarah Rothschild, Chicago IL

Mother Jones is such an important piece of Chicago's and the nation's labor history!

Bruce Tigg, New York, NY

Jerry Delaney, Oak Park, IL

Recognition of the justice work of Mother Jones is long overdue! I’m grateful for the hard work of this group to bring this important recognition!

Janet Raye Hansen, WeNeverForget.org Labor Martyrs Project

Mother was always ready to help us, she never let us down.

My Mayo great-grandfather contracted black-lung disease working as a stoker in Chester, PA. I'm thrilled that this statue will honor Mother Jones for her strength and for her commitment to better the lives of coal miners and countless other workers.--Eileen Durkin, statue donor

The recognition of an immigrant who did so much to extend rights to laboring men and women would acknowledge the importance of immigrants to the development of the city and highlight the role that women have played in securing social justice.  Leonard Ramirez, Ph.D.Northeastern University

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