Moms of the World: Celebration of Womanhood

By Jenna Higbie

In The United States Mothers Day is typically celebrated on the second Sunday of May due to Anna Jarvis. Jarvis dedicated the holiday to honor her mother and her legacy of peace activism. After her mothers passing, Anna started a movement to create a national holiday to recognize the sacrifices of mothers. 

After gaining financial backing from a department store in Philadelphia, she organized the first official mothers day celebration at a church in West Virginia. 

Following the success of the mothers day celebration, Jarvis wanted to see her holiday added to the national calendar. She argued that American holidays were biased towards male achievements, she wrote letters to newspapers, and politicians urging the creation of a special day that celebrates motherhood. 

By 1912 many states, towns and churches adopted Mothers Day on the 11th of May. 

 However, not long after Mothers Day gained popularity, it also became commercialized. By 1920,  Jarvis announced to people to stop buying mothers day cards, flowers, and candies.  Jarvis was unable to separate the holiday from American consumerism. She spent most of her personal wealth trying to preserve its original meaning.

By the time of her death in 1948 Jarvis wanted nothing to do with the holiday all together, and also lobbied the government to see it removed from the American calendar.  

Now you might be thinking What do people do with their mothers on this day? Well let me tell you!

Mothers day events can range from gatherings like brunch or larger community events. Most popular activities include tea celebrations, floral workshops, etc. Depending where you are, you can find local mothers day festivals!