Final answer:
Coleman's mother, Gladys, found her purpose in life amidst struggles as a single mother, though her specific job is not detailed. Florence Thompson depicted the hardship of mothers during the Great Depression, and the slave mother of another story worked as a field hand under severe conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the provided references, it can be deduced that the jobs of Coleman's mother, Gladys, and other figures are challenging and under harsh conditions. Gladys, battling with self-doubt and the struggles of being an unemployed single mother, finally found her purpose in life which is not specified in the job title.
Florence Thompson, a representation of many mothers of the time, was confronted with the harsh reality of failed crops during the Great Depression. The experience of a slave mother, hired by Mr. Stewart, is also highlighted; she worked as a field hand and faced severe penalties for not meeting the rigorous demands of her enslavers.