Mothers Day for Peace

Few know that what we call Mother’s Day in America originated as a day to celebrate peace. It was originally named Mother's Day for Peace, and traces its roots to a plea for peace after the Civil War. Ann Marie Jarvis, a West Virginian mother of eleven, 8 of whom died, organized Mothers Day Work Clubs to improve the health and sanitation conditions in her county. During the American Civil War, she was adamant her clubs stay neutral, and they courageously nursed soldiers from both sides. When the war ended, she arranged the first Mothers Friendship Day in 1868 to reconcile friends and families torn apart by the bitter conflict.

In 1870, feminist poet Julia Ward Howe, famous for writing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” calling on women of all nations to come together in support of peace. Believing that women are the most deeply affected by war, and that they have a responsibility to shape their societies politically, she called on women to oppose war and promote peace.

Today, the need for a safer, more peaceful future persists, but the challenges and threats are increasing. There are an estimated 20,000 nuclear weapons in the world and 9 nations have already detonated at least one. President Obama asserts “America's commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” Groups around the world call for renewed commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. A nuclear weapons free world may not happen in our lifetime, but it is an achievable goal.

What is the history of Mother’s Day? Why did Julia Ward Howe and other women call for peace across nations? How can we create security while getting rid of nuclear weapons? Will other nations abandon their nuclear weapons programs if the U.S. leads the way? How can women lead the call for peace?

"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,

Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.

Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.

We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own.

It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice." Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.

As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,

Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.

Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means Whereby the great human family can live in peace. ...”

- excerpted from the 1870 Mother’s Day Proclamation by Julia Ward Howe