Mary Cornelia Barker (1879 – 1963) was an American educator and labor activist.

[2] In 1905 Barker began her involvement in the labor movement, specifically working on salary scale and improving working conditions with the Atlanta Public School Teachers’ Association (APSTA).

In 1919 APSTA became affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

[2] Barker helped establish the Summer School for Women Workers in Atlanta, Georgia.

That program provided train in labor organization for women working in various industries like textiles.