Celebrating Mom on Mother's Day

Ann Jarvis honored her Mother and made history! 

While the concept of Mother's Day has ancient origins, the modern celebration we know today can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United States. The idea of dedicating a specific day to honor mothers and motherhood has been present in various cultures throughout history.

Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations held festivals to honor mother goddesses, and in Early Christian traditions, there was a day called "Mothering Sunday." This observance originally involved the faithful returning to their 'mother church,' the main church near their homes.

In the United States, contemporary Mother's Day owes much to the efforts of Anna Jarvis. Born on May 1, 1864, in Webster, West Virginia, Anna was the ninth of eleven children. Her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, played a crucial role in inspiring the idea of Mother's Day. Ann Jarvis, a social activist and community organizer, cared for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War and worked towards promoting peace.

After Ann Jarvis's death in 1905, Anna Jarvis dedicated herself to the concept of establishing a day to honor the sacrifices made by mothers for their children. She envisioned a special day to express love and gratitude, believing that a national celebration would strengthen family bonds and recognize the pivotal role of mothers in society.

To achieve this, Jarvis initiated a campaign by writing letters to influential figures, including politicians, businessmen, and clergy members, urging them to support the idea of a dedicated day to honor motherhood. Through persistent lobbying and extensive letter-writing campaigns, she sought official recognition for such a day.

Anna Jarvis's unwavering efforts came to fruition in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. However, Jarvis became disheartened by the increasing commercialization of the holiday. Her original vision of a day centered on personal celebration and heartfelt sentiments was overshadowed by the emphasis on buying and exchanging gifts.

In her later years, Jarvis actively fought against the commercialization of Mother's Day, using her personal wealth for legal battles to prevent the holiday's misuse. She believed that the holiday's original sentiment was being overshadowed by profit-driven motives. Anna Jarvis passed away on November 24, 1948, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Despite her concerns about commercialization, her efforts laid the foundation for the widely celebrated and cherished occasion of Mother's Day.