How Mother's Day Became a Holiday
Mother’s Day actually began as a women’s movement to better the lives of Americans. Its forgotten origins spring from two lifelong activists who championed efforts toward better health, welfare, and peace. Know your Mother’s Day history—and get inspired.
Who Invented Mother’s Day?
The creation of a national Mother’s Day is primarily attributed to three women: Ann Reeves Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe, and Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis.
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Ann Reeves Jarvis
Known as “Mother Jarvis,” Ann Reeves Jarvis was a young Appalachian homemaker who taught Sunday school lessons. She was also a lifelong activist who, in the mid-1800s, organized “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” in West Virginia to combat unsanitary living conditions. Reeves Jarvis was concerned about the high infant mortality rate, especially pervasive in Appalachia, and wanted to educate and help mothers who needed it the most.
During the Civil War, Mother Jarvis had also organized women’s brigades, encouraging women to help without regard for which side their men had chosen. After the war, she proposed a Mothers’ Friendship Day to promote peace between former Union and Confederate families.
Julia Ward Howe
Julia Ward Howe was a famous poet and reformer. During the Civil War, she volunteered for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, helping them to provide hygienic environments for hospitals and to ensure sanitary conditions during the care of sick and wounded soldiers. In 1861, she authored the famous Civil War anthem, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” which was first published in February 1862.
Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for a “Mother’s Day for Peace” dedicated to the celebration of peace and the eradication of war. As expressed in what is called her “Mother’s Day Proclamation” from 1870, Howe felt that mothers should gather to prevent the cruelty of war and the waste of life since mothers of mankind alone bear and know the cost.
Howe’s version of Mother’s Day was held in Boston and other locations for about 30 years, but died a quick death in the years preceding World War I.
Nothing new happened in this department until 1907, when Miss Anna M. Jarvis of Philadelphia took up the banner.
Anna M. Jarvis
After her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died in 1905, Miss Anna Jarvis from Philadelphia wished to memorialize her mother’s life and started campaigning for a national day to honor all mothers. “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life,” Ann Jarvis once said. “She is entitled to it.”
Anna’s ideas were less about public service and more about simply honoring the role of motherhood and the sacrifices made in the home. She bombarded public figures and various civic organizations with telegrams, letters, and in-person discussions. She addressed groups large and small. At her own expense, she wrote, printed, and distributed booklets extolling her idea.
Why Mother’s Day in the U.S. is in May
In May of 1907, Anna memorialized her mother’s lifelong activism with a memorial service held at the Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, where Anna’s mother had taught. The following year, on May 10, a Mother’s Day service was held at that same church to acknowledge all mothers. Thus was born the idea that the second Sunday in May, be set aside to honor every mother, whether living or deceased.
Her efforts came to the attention of the mayor of Philadelphia, who proclaimed a local Mother’s Day. From the local level, she went on to Washington, D.C. The politicians there knew a good thing when they saw it and were quick to lend verbal support.
While West Virginia was the first state to officially adopt the holiday, others followed suit. Proclamation of the day by the various states led Representative J. Thomas Heflin of Alabama and Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas to present a joint resolution to Congress that Mother’s Day be observed nationwide. The resolution was passed by both houses.
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill designating the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday to be called “Mother’s Day”—dedicated “to the best mother in the world, your mother.” For the first few years, the day was observed as a legal holiday, but in absolute simplicity and reverence—church services were held in honor of all mothers, living and dead.
The Bittersweet Legacy of Mother’s Day
According to many sources, Anna simply wanted to honor her mother, claiming that her mother was the originator of the real Mother’s Day. As the holiday went mainstream, she was dismayed to see it become more commercialized with the sending of greeting cards and flowers; she also didn’t even want the holiday promoted by women’s organizations, charitable foundations, or public health reformers to raise money—somewhat ironic considering her mother’s public health mission. In 1948, Anna Jarvis died in a sanitarium in a state of dementia.
Mother’s Day Today
Mother’s Day endures and evolves. Just as Mother’s Day was the creation of multiple women, the modern Mother’s Day celebrates the varied roles of mothers today. We commemorate the many ways mothers have fought to better the lives of their children, from social welfare to non-violence. We also honor the way mothers have raised and nurtured their children with love and courage.
Heidi Stonehill
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In both my mother's and father's families, on Mother's Day we pray for all the mother's who have lost their sons (and now daughters) in war, all the mother's who children are still away at
war, and all the mother's who children has passed away. These are the mother's of the world that truly need comforting on Mother's Day. My mother and aunts are 90 to 104-year old, all women with children and grandchildren that have served in the armed forces, will simply get greetings and meals prepared for them by their children and children, children. No gifts. Some cards. No trips to the cemetery until Memorial Day weekend.
In both my mother's and father's families, on Mother's Day we pray for all the mother's who have lost their sons (and now daughters) in war, all the mother's who children are still away at
war, and all the mother's who children has passed away. These are the mother's of the world that truly need comforting on Mother's Day. My mother and aunts are 90 to 104-year old, all women with children and grandchildren that have served in the armed forces, will simply get greetings and meals prepared for them by their children and children, children. No gifts. Some cards. No trips to the cemetery until Memorial Day weekend.
I love and honor my late mother, grandmother, and aunt - all were mothers to me. Unfortunately, Mother’s Day represents pain for many women, especially those who are childless or by choice, for whatever reason, childfree. I am part of the latter. For health reasons, my husband and I did not have children. Yet, I nurtured and mothered hundreds of children over the years as a kindergarten teacher. Several years ago, I sat in church while a rose was given to every woman who was a mother. I was the only woman to go home empty-handed. An older woman of the church approached me privately to say how sorry she was that I was excluded, recognizing me as one of the mothers her granddaughter had (I taught her granddaughter). Another year I went to church with my parents on Mother’s Day and a flower was given to the oldest mother, the mother with the most kids present in church, etc. They were down to the last flower and the category was “youngest mother”. Two moms tied, both 27. The minister was perplexed, having only one flower. From the pulpit, he announced “Jane was a mother, but wasn’t married, so Debbie - who was married - was awarded the flower. Because I was sitting with my parents, I didn’t walk out. But I wanted to. I now skip church on Mother’s Day and go shopping to buy myself something nice.
How do mothers survive in this crazy world, giving and sharing all the way? It is a miracle; they must be damned strong.
Dear mothers of the world, I only have a bunch of 30 individual digital flowers to share. 30 flowers for about 30 years in which girls become mothers. 30 flowers accompagnied by the 'Survival Tune for a crazy World'.
Please accept my well meant musical encouragement on YouTube. Survive, share and walk on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWVIXCtnt2Y
Henry Vanderes
Nonpolipar.net
Mother's Day flowers are a heartfelt way to show your appreciation for your mother or mother figure. They represent love, gratitude, and respect. If you're looking for a reliable brand for your Mother's Day Flowers, consider Interflora India, which offers a wide range of beautiful and high-quality floral arrangements to express your love and appreciation.
I give homage to these 3 trailblazing souls that saw fit to be themselves and move a necessary blockade and resistance from our path back to who we are. Yet, while my gratitude is none the less for these three, the truth of the matter is that each and every one of you that have walked each step with the roll, title, and responsibility of Mother are no less deserving of your own homage! REGARDLESS, the situation! We have an unavoidable Miracle unfolding before our very eyes as a collective Humanity and we ALL COULD USE A DOSE OF THE 'MOTHERING' GENE to nuture one another to the other side of the Valley. My Love and Appreciation to each one of YOU! If you know someone who needs a friend... be one! If it's you struggling to cope then reach out, MY HAND is waiting amongst countless others to give away what we've been givin! THANK YOU!
'~True Love is the triumpth of IMAGINATION over Intelligence.' -H. L. Mencken
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This is a great article. I did not know the history. Just saw Hallmark cards. The mothers behind mother's day were true patriots who helped out in war, advocated for peace, fought against child labor and bad mining conditions and improved health for all children and future children of the world. They should talk about these women in history class not just make crafts for mom.
Alan, you are so right! Mother's Day should reflect the three women who decided that safety, compassion and security are most important in everyone's lives. Mother's day should not be remembered as a cash cow!! Make something by hand, cook your Mom's favorite meal, read with your Mom, or go to the park with her. Just show her your love and admiration...she will always remember that. And she will thank God she has you in her life, every day. I know these things seem old-fashioned, but remember, she is from the generation before you...maybe old-fashioned is just what she'd like.
My mom, Gladys O. S. was a kind and godly woman. Mom’s mantra was “Give it to God.” She taught me to love and forgive others as often as they offend you. Mom died February 2012. I love you mom! Sleep on Momma, take your rest; we all love you but God loves you best.
