In the 1850's, Anna Reeves Jarvis organized women's groups to campaign for sanitation and medicine for the poor. Her work continued during the Civil War, as she and her women's groups provided care for soldiers on both sides of the war, with no regard for their military affiliation. Her community service continued after the war ended in trying to unite the American people again as one Nation.
Julia Ward Howe, author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic,"" began to organize Mother's Peace Day. Mother's Day for Peace was celebrated for the next 30 years on the 2nd day of June. However, the holiday did not receive status as a recognized holiday.
Ann Jarvis, daughter of Anna Reeves Jarvis, organized a campaign for a recognized holiday in memory of her Mother's tireless efforts to benefit women and humanity. Her persistence paid off, and Congress passed the Mother's Day resolution in 1914. Ann Jarvis is officially recognized as the founder of Mother's Day.
However, Mother's through the ages have had various forms of special recognition. England observed a holiday years ago called Mothering Sunday. It was a part of the annual celebration of Lent.
Perhaps a little-known tradition of Mother's day is the wearing of a carnation to honor your mother. A colored carnation indicates that the person's Mother is living and a white carnation represents that the person's Mother is deceased. Ann Jarvis is credited with this Mother's Day tradition as well.
This Mother's Day, as many a Mother's heart bleeds and longs for world peace, with their children continuing to serve in the military, let us join together in remembering the meanings upon which Mother's Day was founded. One day, perhaps, we be able to show example of a Mother's love for all humanity.