Mother’s Day: Uncovering Its Controversial Origins

Swift Summary

• Mother’s Day in America originated from social activism during the Civil War, aiming to improve maternal health and promote peace.
• Ann Reeves Jarvis founded Mothers’ Day Work Clubs for public health education and eventually championed a reconciliation-focused “Mothers’ Friendship Day.”
• Activists like Julia Ward Howe and Juliet Calhoun Blakely contributed to the early proto-Mother’s Days with peace efforts and local celebrations.
• Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, advocated for an official holiday honoring mothers’ sacrifices, which became a reality in 1914 through President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation.
• commercialization of Mother’s Day emerged rapidly, driven by businesses profiting from greeting cards, flowers, and related products-contrary to its original sentiment-driven purpose.
• anna Jarvis strongly opposed this commercialization. She campaigned against profit-driven practices surrounding the holiday but faced significant challenges and financial ruin later in life due to her relentless activism.

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