History Alive! Mother Jones reenactor Karen Vuranch speaks in character to the attendees of the Friends of the Shepherdstown Library event in the Shepherdstown Public Library on Nov. 2. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — As it has done for many years in the past, the Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) brought one of the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! performances to town on Nov. 2.

While previous History Alive! performances have featured reenactors portraying historical figures from other regions of the United States, this year’s historical figure was selected for her connection to West Virginia history and her lifelong commitment to fighting for workers’ rights.

“It’s always wonderful to get to meet knew characters through this program,” said FOSL President Rob Sisk. “It is my pleasure to introduce Mother Jones, an active force in the labor movement in the early 20th century. She had a tremendous impact on organizations for labor unions. Her work took her all over, from West Virginia, to Alabama, to Colorado and tonight, to Shepherdstown!”

Karen Vuranch then entered the Shepherdstown Public Library’s meeting room, bedecked in black Edwardian clothing. Vuranch, who was portraying Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, spoke with a broken Irish accent, reflecting the fact that Mother Jones had emigrated from Cork, Ireland as a child.

“Let’s get one thing straight — I’m not a humanitarian, I’m a hell raiser! I’ve been all over this great nation, trying to create decent working conditions for people like you and me,” she said, noting her involvement during key moments in West Virginian labor union history, such as the Battle of Blair Mountain and the Matewan Massacre. “I belong to a class of people that have been plundered and robbed and abused, and because I have belonged to that class, I am of the mind to break those chains!”

Community members wait to chat with History Alive! Mother Jones reenact in the Shepherdstown Public Library on Nov. 2. Tabitha Johnston

For around 25 minutes, Vuranch shared the history of Mother Jones with a full room of library supporters and history enthusiasts, before answering audience questions and answers in-character. As questions about modern issues with workers’ rights began to be raised, Vuranch removed her black hat and nonprescription glasses to give her modern perspective on how Mother Jones would have viewed how workers’ rights have progressed from her time to today.

“Last year, there was new legislation made in the West Virginia Legislature. There are no longer safety regulations in West Virginia’s mines. Our legislatures have done away with it,” Vuranch said. “Safety inspectors have to give a two-week warning before they come and they cannot fine a coal mine anymore — they can only make recommendations for training. The coal miners are saying, ‘This legislation is written in our blood.’ We had legislation that had been really hard fought for in West Virginia!

“There is national safety legislation, but West Virginia legislators said, ‘It doesn’t matter what will happen, we just want to make money. It doesn’t matter what we do,'” Vuranch said. “Tell your legislator you’re not happy with that!”

Attendees of the History Alive! performance enjoy some Halloween snacks in the Shepherdstown Public Library on Nov. 2. Tabitha Johnston