Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9!
It seems that every great civilization has set aside a time of year to honor mothers, from the ancient Greeks and Romans, through the western European societies.
Mothers Day should be especially important to members of the American Business Women’s Association because many of us are mothers ourselves – and we all have a mother! This weekend, it’s important to take more than a nano-second to reflect on everything that our “mothers” have provided, which prepared us for our own roles as women, business people and, yes, as mothers.
Despite my earlier skepticism, that Mothers Day was a marketing campaign orchestrated by the two greeting card giants, I’ve discovered some interesting facts about the origination of this very special day. Did you know that the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” by Julia Ward Howe was one of the early calls to celebrate Mothers Day in the United States? Written in 1870, Howe’s Proclamation was a pacifist reaction to the carnage of the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War. Howe’s feminist belief – women had a responsibility to shape their societies at the political level. Amazing! Our early “sisters” understood that being ENGAGED can shape the world!
And in 1912, Anna Jarvis created the Mothers Day International Association and specified that it be observed on the second Sunday in May. That idea was then adopted by Congress and made an official U.S. holiday with the signature of President Woodrow Wilson.
But it shouldn’t take a Proclamation or an act of Congress for us to tell our mothers, grandmothers, aunties and one another, that we love and appreciate them. This weekend, on May 9, be ENGAGED, and take time to recognize your “Mom” for her accomplishment – YOU!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Side Note: I intend to thank my Mom profusely for her love, support and acceptance of my ‘non-traditional career choices’ (like ballet and ABWA) – and for giving me the “perseverance and relentless” genes – both have served me well throughout my life!
May 4, 2010 at 4:58 am
Thanks for your blog, Renee. I intend to be “engaged” on Sunday as a clown in the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation parade in Lancaster, PA and will be helping to raise funds to grant wishes to children who have life threatening medical conditions. Hope all the other moms out there also have plans for a spectacular day!!
May 4, 2010 at 3:01 pm
That’s wonderful! I am certain you will make a lot of people smile – you always do! Have fun and have a great day!
May 4, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Unfortunately I lost my Mom in 2006 but I will think about her on Mother’s Day as I do every day. She was a huge force in my life and I know my strength comes from her. Every day something I see, do or hear triggers a thought of her or I know that if she were still here I would be calling to share it with her. I miss her everyday!
To all the wonderful women who have touched my life – Thank You! I owe you more than I can put into words and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.
May 4, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Profound words! Things have sure changed even in the last 30 years. My mom, who will be 70 in July, quit attending business school two weeks before graduation because she was getting married. Her rationale: she didn’t need a degree because she was going to be a wife and a mother.
As a young adult (and difficult teenager) I remember thinking that I would NEVER sacrifice my own life to be a wife and mother. Well, of course I have learned that to be a mother is certainly a career that has unlimited benefits.
I have worked, I have stayed home with kids, I have worked from home, and I now am re-entering the world of work after an 8 year hiatus. I have learned something valuable in every stage along the way. The most important lesson: to be supportive of each other as women,no matter our choices.
I am so happy to be part of an organization of women who support women’s choices regarding work and family!
May 6, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Thanks for the reminder. We need to honor all the women in our lives, mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins and friends who cheer us on, and help us to realize our dreams. There are women who led the way in breaking barriers so women have unlimited possibilities in all aspects of their lives.
Sunday, I will have the great fortune of being able to spend the day with my Mother and the evening with my Mother and Sister. Happy Mother’s day to all the Moms out there there!!
January 25, 2011 at 9:59 am
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