Mother Jones: a living history performance by Karen Vuranch
Mother Jones was an active force in the labor movement in the early part of the 20th century. She campaigned for the rights of workers in many occupations. Specifically, she spent a great deal of time working with the newly formed United Mine Workers of America. Mother Jones is also known for her work with the railroaders, steel workers and, most notably, children in the textile mills. Her efforts took her all over the nation, from West Virginia to Alabama to Colorado, where she had a tremendous impact on the organization of labor unions.
Mary Harris Jones was born in Ireland in the 1830’s. Her family emigrated to America to escape famine, unemployment and persecution. After teaching in Detroit for several years, Mary moved to Memphis where she married ironmoulder, George Jones. Through her husband, who was active in the ironmoulders’ union, Mary was introduced to the results that labor unions achieve when workers work together. But soon tragedy struck her family and she left Memphis.
Devastated, Mary returned north and went to Chicago where she supported herself as a seamstress. It was about this time that Mary Harris Jones became acquainted with the Knights of Labor, a fledging organization that sought to better working conditions for all workers. Soon, Mary became a professional labor organizer, earning the fond nickname “Mother” for her maternal devotion to workers everywhere. She spent the remainder of her life in a nomadic existence, tirelessly campaigning for workers’ rights. She passionately supported unions and workers by leading strikes, delivering outspoken and often fiery speeches and was even thrown in jail a number of times for incidents involved with organizing unions. Indeed, Judge Jonathon Jackson called her “the most dangerous woman in America” for her ability to influence and rally workers throughout the nation.
West Virginia storyteller and actress, Karen Vuranch, recreates the fire and energy that was Mother Jones in a living history performance. She tells the story of Mother Jones’ life and, treating the audience as if they were a group of workers, she cajoles and exhorts them to work together for the cause of the union. The audience is encouraged to participate by asking questions. Karen’s lively presentation will leave the audience knowing how it felt to sit in a union hall and listen to the outspoken Mother Jones.
Mother Jones is just one of the characters Karen Vuranch portrays. She is well-known for acclaimed play Coal Camp Memories, which has been performed throughout the US, England and Wales. In addition to Mother Jones, Karen brings to life novelist Pearl S. Buck, humanitarian Clara Barton, Indian Captive Mary Draper Ingles, Civil War soldier Emma Edmonds and Renaissance pirate Grace O’Malley. She is currently developing the character of the famous Wild West outlaw, Belle Starr. Karen has also written, Homefront, a one-act play about women in World War II and seven different murder mysteries, performed throughout the region. Karen has received many honors for her work including the Robert C. Byrd Community Service Award from the Corridor L Tourism Commission, the McWhorter Achievement Award from the West Virginia Storytelling Guild, Performer of the Year from Tamarack and the Spirit of West Virginia Award from the state Tourism Commission.
For more information about Karen Vuranch’s portrayal of Mother Jones, or other presentation by WV Enterprises, please contact:
WV Enterprises
P.O. Box 383 / Fayetteville, WV 24840
(304) 574-4840 or (304) 575-3636 – cell phone
karen@wventerprises.com / www.wventerprises.com
