Mother’s Day is a very special day to celebrate and reward mothers for their love and dedication. Mothers go through so much and shed their sweat, blood and tears for their children so it’s only right we have a day to appreciate all of their hard work. It’s also a holiday for bonding between kids and their moms to celebrate motherhood together. Remember a being mom doesn’t mean you gave birth. We celebrate aunts, grandmothers, mentors, godmothers and sisters who have taken on the role as a mother and play a vital role in nurturing and supporting us.
The History of Mother’s Day
The beginning of Mother’s Day in the United States, was created by Anna Jarvis, back in 1904, about a decade later, in 1914, later it became an official U.S. holiday. Jarvis had denounced the commercialization of the holiday and spent most of her life trying to remove it from the calendar.
Early Mother’s Day Pioneers/Activists in the United States
Ann Reeves Jarvis
Before the Civil War, in West Virginia, Ann Jarvis had started, “Mother’s Day Work Clubs,” to help local women properly take care of their children.
In 1868, Jarvis organized a community day, known as, “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” as Union and Confederate soldiers were still divided because of the Civil War, hoping that the “Mothers’ Friendship Day,” will influence them to reconcile and to unify them in this gathering.
Ann Reeves Jarvis, Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis (September 30, 1832 – May 9, 1905) was a social activist and community organizer during the American Civil War era.
Julia Ward Howe
Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” in 1870, to bring mothers to unite in promoting world peace. In 1873, she campaigned for a “Mother’s Peace Day” to be celebrated every June 2.
Written By: Madeline Kirson, Intern
