NAIROBI, Kenya – Mother’s Day, a global celebration honoring the women who nurture, love, and sacrifice for their children, will be observed once again this Sunday, May 11.
However, behind the annual gifts, cards, and flowers lies a history marked by both personal devotion and public advocacy, as well as controversy.
The modern iteration of the holiday, which is now celebrated in numerous countries, was founded by Anna Jarvis in the United States in the early 20th century.
Jarvis, driven by her deep affection for her own mother, Ann Jarvis, sought to create a day of recognition for mothers—something her mother had longed for.
In 1908, Anna Jarvis held the first official Mother’s Day service at her late mother’s church in Grafton, West Virginia.
Her mother, Ann, had been an active community leader, organizing women’s groups focused on promoting public health, friendship, and reconciliation, especially in the wake of the Civil War.
Inspired by her mother’s work and the prayer she heard as a child, Jarvis dedicated herself to the idea of a national Mother’s Day.
The first celebration was a success, but it wasn’t until 1914, after years of relentless campaigning by Jarvis, that President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day a national holiday, to be held every second Sunday in May.
The holiday began with the custom of wearing carnations—white for mothers who had passed and red for those still alive.
Over time, it has evolved into a celebration involving family gatherings, religious services, and the giving of gifts, with flowers, especially carnations, being particularly popular.
Despite its success, Anna Jarvis grew increasingly disillusioned with the commercialization of the holiday she created.
What began as a deeply personal tribute to mothers soon became a commercialized frenzy of gift-buying.
In fact, more than 100 million Mother’s Day cards are purchased in the U.S. each year, making it one of the most commercialized holidays worldwide.
The sale of flowers, chocolates, and other gifts has turned Mother’s Day into a financial boon for retailers.
In her later years, Jarvis became outspoken against what she called the “exploitation” of the holiday.
She criticized the corporations and businesses that used the occasion for profit, saying, “WHAT WILL YOU DO to rout charlatans, bandits, pirates, racketeers, kidnappers and other termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest, noblest, and truest movements and celebrations?”
Ironically, Jarvis, who fought so passionately for the creation of Mother’s Day, spent the latter part of her life attempting to abolish it.
While Jarvis’ efforts to reverse the holiday’s commercialization were unsuccessful, her commitment to honoring mothers left an indelible mark on the world.
In Kenya, Mother’s Day has been celebrated on the same day as in the US for many years, but the holiday was officially recognized in 2012.
Mother’s Day remains an important occasion for families to gather, reflect, and show appreciation for the mothers and maternal figures in their lives.
Although the day is now widely associated with consumerism, at its core, it remains a celebration of the profound and selfless role mothers play in shaping lives.
The legacy of Anna Jarvis is not only seen in the celebration of mothers, but also in the larger conversation about how holidays should be celebrated—with sincerity and gratitude.
As you give your mother a card or a bouquet of flowers this Sunday, remember the origins of Mother’s Day—and perhaps reflect on the true meaning behind the holiday: recognizing the love and sacrifice of mothers everywhere.
