“It’s ‘Mother’s Day’. Not ‘Mothers Day’!”
“A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself.” — Anna Jarvis
Anna Jarvis (1864 – 1948) was a formidable lady. I should have liked the pleasure of meeting her. She is known for creating Mother’s Day, but she was extremely unhappy with what her idea had grown into.
Mrs. Jarvis championed Mother’s Day as a simple day to honor one’s own mother, the most special mother a person could have — not all mothers. This is why she was adament that it should always be spelled “Mother’s Day”, but certainly not “Mothers Day”.
The evolution of Mother’s Day into a commercialized celebration appalled and aggrieved Mrs. Jarvis. She launched a massive campaign against its commercial exploitation. Boycotts and vitriolic denouncements of candy and greeting card gifts were just some of the tactics used in her appeals to bring Mother’s Day back to basics. Unfortunately, she was hardly successful and ultimately died, some would say, from grief.
Brian Handwork has the story in National Geographic Magazine.
Reinhard Kargl
Journalist and media professional currently based in Los Angeles, California. Focusing on science and technology.