Beyond the Brunch: The Dark Side of Mother’s Day: Why Its Founder Wanted the Holiday Abolished
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridge4wood NJ, Every year, like clockwork, the second Sunday of May arrives with a flurry of flower deliveries, breakfast-in-bed attempts, and heartfelt cards. We know Mother’s Day as a celebration of maternal bonds and the incredible influence mothers have on society.
But did you know the woman who fought to make it a holiday actually ended up hating what it became?
From ancient goddesses to Civil War activists, the story of Mother’s Day is far more fascinating than a simple Hallmark card suggests.
The Ancient Roots of Motherhood Celebrations
The concept of honoring motherhood isn’t new. In fact, it dates back thousands of years:
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Ancient Greece & Rome: Festivals were held in honor of mother goddesses like Rhea and Cybele.
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“Mothering Sunday”: During the Middle Ages, a European tradition emerged where the faithful would return to their “mother church” (the main church in their area) for a special service on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Over time, this shifted into a day where domestic servants were given the day off to visit their mothers.
The Surprising American Origin: A Call for Peace
In the United States, Mother’s Day didn’t start with flowers—it started with activism.
In the 1870s, Julia Ward Howe (author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation. It wasn’t about pampering; it was a call for mothers to unite and promote world peace following the devastation of the Civil War.
Anna Jarvis: The Founder Who Regretted It
The Mother’s Day we recognize today was officially founded by Anna Jarvis in 1908. Following her own mother’s death, she conceived of the day as a way of honoring the private sacrifices mothers make for their children.
By 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law. However, Jarvis’s victory was short-lived. She quickly grew disgusted by the commercialization of the holiday, famously saying:
“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
Jarvis spent the rest of her life—and her inheritance—lobbying to have the holiday removed from the calendar because she felt the floral and candy industries had hijacked her “holy day.”
How the World Celebrates Today
While the U.S., Canada, and Australia celebrate in May, the traditions vary globally:
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United Kingdom: Continues the “Mothering Sunday” tradition in March.
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Thailand: Celebrated in August on the birthday of the current Queen.
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Ethiopia: Families gather for a multi-day feast called Antrosht at the end of the rainy season to sing and honor motherhood.
Why It Still Matters
Whether you’re celebrating a biological mother, a grandmother, a foster mom, or a maternal figure, the day remains a vital moment to pause. It complements Father’s Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents’ Day as a cornerstone of how we honor the people who shape our lives.
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Tags: #MothersDay #History #FamilyTraditions #AnnaJarvis #WomensHistory #HolidayOrigins
