Mother's Day in the United States

As the name implies Mother's Day is a day that celebrates and honors mothers and maternal figures for all they do in our personal lives and society at large. However, do you know the origin of Mother's Day in the U.S.?

While many historians believe that Mother’s Day can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and their annual spring festival to honor Rhéa, “Mother of Gods,” most agree that the "true American Mother's Day" is a holiday that gained popularity in fairly recent times when Julia Ward Howe, writer of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, announced it in 1872 as a day dedicated to peace and to all mothers. 

Others argue that Mother's day was set in motion by Mrs. Juliet Calhoun Blakely, who in May of 1877 unexpectedly stepped up to her church's pulpit calling out to all mothers. This act prompted her sons to urge people to honor their mothers on the second Sunday of May.

In terms of the holiday gaining national status, however, the main driver was teacher Anna M. Jarvis who set up a national Mother's Day in 1907 in honor of her own mother who had developed a "Mothers Friendship Day" to heal people after the Civil War. By 1911, Mother's Day had spread nationwide, and was proclaimed a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson three years later.

Mother's Day around the World

While Mother's Day in the U.S. is always observed on the second Sunday in May, it is celebrated across the world in more than 50 countries and on a variety of dates. Also, though many cultures celebrate with similar traditions of gifting cards or flowers, some have their very own customs based on their country's history of the day. 

In the United Kingdom, for example, Mother's Day falls on a different day each year and is traditionally a day for people to go visit their "mother church". In Poland on the other hand,  Mother's Day is always celebrated on May 26th, and did not become widely celebrated until after World War II. In Mexico, Día de las Madres is celebrated on May 10th and a huge event with music, food and flowers. In Thailand, Mother's Day is on August 12th, queen Sirikit's birthday, and incorporates charity as a big part of the celebration. Unlike other countries Ethiopia celebrates Mother's Day for three whole days at the end of the rainy season in the autumn, celebrating mothers as well as mother Earth. Malawi celebrates Mother's Day in October often commemorated by a public presidential speech, and in Japan Mother's Day was originally based on Empress Kōjun's birthday with people handing out red carnations, kanji prints, and kokeshi dolls. Finally in Russia, Mother's Day can be celebrated alongside International Women's Day in March, or on the last Sunday in November.

Mother's Day in a New Home

Simret Kahsai came to the U.S. as an Eritrean refugee to be reunited with her daughters Abi (now 21), Hyab (now 19) and Koki (now 17) who had arrived before her in 2014 from Kenya, where they had spent the prior decade. 

"Our memories of life before Kenya are very vague, as we were very young,"

say the girls when asked about their home country and Mother's Day traditions there. Then they remember making cards. 

"Before coming to the U.S., Mother's Day celebrations were much simpler,"

they recall then add:

"Being in a country with so many material things can make you forget the essence of Mother’s day and sometimes make it harder to be genuine."

The girls are busy. Currently all students, Abi is excited to graduate this month with plans to go to Grad school, Hyab is finishing her first year in college, and Koki is planning on finishing High School next year. However, when asked about their mom Simret and their plans to celebrate her for Mother's Day they pause.  

"Our mom has always managed to provide a sense of comfort and support wherever we were,"

they reflect.

"She has always been understanding of us and our needs, which makes our relationship with her effortless. She is very supportive and always makes it easy for us to come to talk to her. She has sacrificed a lot for us, and her sacrifices are proof of the great love she has for us."

Now, being older, Abi, Hyab and Koki see the value of Mother's Day in the U.S.

"We really like that we now have the ability to do it all,"

they laugh, then explain: 

"Having great access and the opportunity to do so much more for our mom makes it feel like a holiday for all of us!" 

Nevertheless, Simret hasn't changed. 

"We always gift her things we know she likes. However, she still seems most grateful for small gestures, like cooking her breakfast or handwritten notes,"

the girls conclude before adding:

"We just love her and we appreciate her every day, not just on Mother’s Day." 

As for Simret herself, her wish for Mother's Day is simple, yet profound:

"I just wish for peace and happiness for my three beautiful girls, as well as for safety for all our children in their new home and country."

The IRC in Denver wishes all mothers a beautiful Mother's Day 2023. If you can support a Mother in need today, please donate here.

Written by: Hanna Simmons