Did you know that Mother’s Day was never intended to be a money making holiday but rather a day of peace? To understand the truth behind the special day we need to go back to 1870 and visit the poet and author, Julia Ward Howe. She had just completed what was to become a famous piece entitled, “Mother’s Day Proclamation”. Julia was a social justice advocate, who was calling all women to come together from all nations to create peace in this world. Remember, this piece was written following the carnage of the American Civil War and during the Franco -Prussian War. Many mother’s and wives lost sons and husbands in these battles, leaving them to find a way to rebuild their lives and face the world on their own. In a brave move, Julia encourages women to stand up politically and have a voice. Needless to say, this idea was not appreciated by the leaders at that time. Although her move in 1872 to have June2nd declared as Mother’s Day, a day to promote world peace, was denied the cause did not fade.
Over the years Julia would gain many followers and supporters. One such woman was Anna Jarvis. Anna also felt there should be a Mother’s Day whereby these women were honoured for their scarifies they had made for their children. Upon Anna’s passing, her daughter by the same name, wanted to see her mother’s dream come to fruition. In 1908 the second Sunday in May was officially set aside as the first Mother’s Day in the United States. It was never intended to be such a commercial tribute. In fact, Anna (the daughter) tried to have the day stopped when she saw how industries were using it as a money making holiday. The sole reason for its birth was to promote worldwide peace not commercialism. Her feeling was so strong in this that she actually tried to have Mother’s Day banned because of what it had turned into.
On this Mother’s Day, take a moment to really consider what it was meant to be. Once again we live in a world in turmoil. When will humankind learn that war never brings peace only the Mother’s energy of love, protection, nurturing and compassion will heal this broken world? Honour everyone who has stepped into the role of mother energy and strives for peace…peace with a child, peace within the home, peace in the community, peace within the country and the world.
MOTHER’S DAY PROCLAMATION
Boston, 1870
“Arise, then… women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
whether our baptism be that of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies.
Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage,
for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country
to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.
From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says: Disarm, Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.
Blood does not wipe out dishonor,
nor violence vindicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
at the summons of war,
let women now leave all that may be left of home
for a great and earnest day of council.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them then solemnly take council with each other as to the means
whereby the great human family can live in peace,
each bearing after his own kind the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
but of God.
In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask
that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality,
may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient,
and at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
to promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
the amicable settlement of international questions,
the great and general interests of peace.“
~ Julia Ward Howe