Julia Ward Howe (an abolitionist activist) was sickened by American’s Civil & Franco-Purssian Wars. She believed that being a mother was a powerful enough experience to prevent any woman from wanting to watch her sons die at war and asserted that an innate motherly love for human beings could provide an alternative voice for peace. In 1872,  Howe proclaimed June 2nd as “Mother’s Day For Peace” and spent the rest of her day advocating for women to come together and envision strategies for social change. Her efforts were later picked up by Anna Jarvis, a lady who viewed homemaker’s rights as essential. Jarvis presented “Mother’s Day For Peace” as a day to recognize the work of mothers rather than as an anti-war protest. This new incarnation of “Mother’s Day” became a popular first-wave movement and was recognized as a holiday in 1914. Think about that next time you buy a greeting card!

1:22 pm  •  8 May 2011  •  323 notes