The mother behind Mothers Day By Shad David

The mother behind Mother’s Day By Shad David Sluiter – Available for download at www. gospelhall. org

The mother behind Mother’s Day Ann Marie Jarvis (1832 -1905) and her daughter Anna Jarvis (1864 -1948)

A day for one mother • The name “Mother’s Day” is spelled correctly because it is a day to honor one’s own mother. • The day is not spelled “Mothers’ Day” as if to mean that the day is to celebrate all mothers in general.

Ann Marie Jarvis • Ann Marie Jarvis (the mother) was active during the American Civil War with charitable work. • Her daughter Anne Jarvis carried on with similar social work in poor communities.

The first days for mother… • Anna was the mother of eleven children, but only four lived to adulthood. • In her town of Webster and surrounding areas, many children died due to poor sanitary conditions. • Ana called on all women in the area to meet at local churches where she organized clubs, known as Mothers Day Work Clubs. • Two doctors helped these Mother’s Day Clubs with advice on how to give medicine, inspect milk for disease and feed women who could not work.

National Holiday President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914.

National Holiday • Mother’s Day was designated a holiday in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908 as a day to honor one’s mother. • With the help of John Wanamaker, a wealthy man from Philadelphia, she kept promoting the holiday until President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914. • The holiday eventually became so highly commercialized that many, including its founder, Anna Jarvis, considered it a "Hallmark Holiday“ – too commercialized. She regretted what had become of her holiday • Eventually Anna Jarvis ended up opposing the holiday she had helped to create.

Anna Jarvis Quotes • "Any mother would rather have a line of the worst scribble from her son or daughter than any fancy greeting card” • "There is no connection between candy and this day. "

Mother’s Verses in the Bible • Ephesians 6: 1 -3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (2) “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), (3) “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. ” • 2 Timothy 1: 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. • Proverbs 31: 2 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. • Proverbs 1: 8 -9 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, (9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.