The Ark-La-Tex Gazette

by: Staff of Ark-La-Tex Gazette 

Every second Sunday in May, families across the United States pause to honor the women who raised them, cared for them, and shaped their lives. With brunch reservations, fresh flowers, and heartfelt cards, Mother’s Day has become a cherished tradition, but few know the complex and meaningful story behind this national holiday.

Where It All Began

The origins of Mother’s Day date back to the 19th century, rooted not in retail or greeting cards, but in activism, peace, and mourning.

During the Civil War, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a West Virginia mother, organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to teach women how to care for their families and promote sanitation. After the war, she hosted “Mother’s Friendship Day” events to bring together Union and Confederate families in reconciliation.

Inspired by her mother’s work, Anna Jarvis began a campaign in 1905, the year her mother passed away, to establish a national holiday in honor of mothers. She believed that mothers were “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world,” and deserved a day of reflection, not commercialism.

In 1908, the first official Mother’s Day celebration took place at a Methodist church in Grafton, West Virginia. Just six years later, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation making Mother’s Day a national holiday.

A Day of Gratitude and Mixed Emotions

Today, Mother’s Day is widely celebrated across the U.S. and in many countries around the world. For many, it’s a day filled with hugs, breakfast in bed, and family gatherings.

But the day carries different meanings for different people.

For mothers like Deborah White, a retired nurse and grandmother of five, Mother’s Day is about legacy. “It’s not about getting gifts,” she says. “It’s about seeing how the love I gave my kids is now being passed down to their kids.”

For others, the day can bring sadness. Whether because of loss, strained relationships, or unfulfilled dreams of motherhood, many experiences a quieter, more reflective Mother’s Day. In recent years, there’s been a growing movement to acknowledge those who grieve on this day, proving that Mother's Day is not only about joy, but about honoring love in all its forms.

How It’s Celebrated Around the World

While the U.S. celebrates Mother’s Day in May, countries like the United Kingdom observe “Mothering Sunday” in March. In Mexico, "Día de las Madres" is held on May 10 with mariachi music and big family dinners. In Thailand, Mother’s Day is celebrated in August on the birthday of Queen Sirikit.

Regardless of the date, the heart of the holiday remains the same: celebrating the women who nurture, teach, and guide us.

A Legacy Bigger Than a Single Day

Ironically, Anna Jarvis, the woman who fought for Mother’s Day, later became one of its fiercest critics. Upset by its commercialization, she even tried to have the holiday repealed.

But her original idea, a day to truly honor mothers, not just with gifts but with gratitude, lives on in the quiet gestures: a child’s drawing, a warm phone call, a handwritten note.

As families prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, perhaps the greatest tribute is simply to take the time to say, “Thank you, Mom,” and mean it.