Rodrick Dixon & Alfreda Burke, World-renowned singers of opera, jazz, gospel
“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.”
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’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 & 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
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 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
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
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
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