In 1936, trying to find organisations supporting the Scottsboro Boys, she joined the Young Communist League USA. The American communist movement's opposition to the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, was another factor which prompted Jones to join the communists. In 1937 she joined the editorial staff of the "Daily Worker", rising by 1938 to become editor of the "Weekly Review". After the Young Communist League became American Youth for Democracy during World War II, Jones became editor of its monthly journal, "Spotlight". After the war, Jones became executive secretary of the Women's National Commission, secretary for the Women's Commission of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA), and in 1952 took the same position at the National Peace Council. In 1953, she took over the editorship of "Negro Affairs".