The forgotten origins of Mother's Day: How a call for maternal solidarity was hijacked by cards, gifts, and chocolate

Long before Mother's Day became synonymous with overflowing brunch buffets, heartwarming cards, and flower deliveries, it was a day born of sorrow, devotion, and a quiet revolution. The modern iteration of the holiday—as celebrated on the second Sunday of May across the United States—was the brainchild of Anna Jarvis, a daughter determined to immortalize her mother’s legacy. But what began as a deeply personal and moral observance of motherhood soon transformed into one of the most commercialized days of the year, to the dismay of the very woman who founded it.

The original intent behind Mother’s Day was anything but commercial. At its core, it was about the incalculable sacrifices and lifelong service mothers render to society—service that often goes unseen, unthanked, and unrewarded. And it all began with a prayer.

The Prayer That Planted the Seed
In 1876, a 12-year-old Anna Jarvis sat in a Sunday school class led by her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, in Grafton, West Virginia. At the end of the lesson, Ann prayed aloud: “I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.” That moment imprinted itself so deeply in Anna's mind that nearly three decades later, when her mother passed away in 1905, Anna took it upon herself to turn that wish into reality.

Ann Jarvis herself was no stranger to public service. During the Civil War, she had worked tirelessly to care for wounded soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. In 1868, she had even organized a Mothers’ Friendship Day—a groundbreaking initiative aimed at healing the divides between war-torn communities. It was this spirit of peace and maternal solidarity that Anna sought to enshrine, not a day of shopping and dining out.

A Movement Blossoms
Anna Jarvis began her campaign in earnest in 1905. Through hundreds of letters and public speeches, she petitioned politicians, clergy, and influential organizations. Her goal was simple: to designate a day honoring mothers—not in general, but personally. That’s why it’s “Mother’s Day,” singular possessive, intended for each family to honor their own mother in their own way.

Her efforts bore fruit. The first official Mother’s Day service was held on May 12, 1908, at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton—the same church where her mother once taught. The momentum was unstoppable. By 1911, nearly every U.S. state had some form of Mother's Day observance. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday to be held on the second Sunday in May.

But success brought an unexpected twist.

The Founder Turns Against Her Creation
No sooner had the holiday been institutionalized than it began to evolve in ways Jarvis never intended. Greeting card companies, florists, candy makers, and retailers quickly seized the opportunity. By the 1920s, what was meant to be a solemn, heartfelt tribute had ballooned into a commercial spectacle.

Anna Jarvis was appalled. She organized protests, boycotts, and even filed lawsuits to defend the integrity of the day. She famously called out profiteers as “charlatans, bandits, pirates, racketeers, kidnappers and other termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest, noblest, and truest movements and celebrations.” Her most striking act of defiance came when she was arrested in 1925 for disturbing the peace during a protest against the American War Mothers, who were selling carnations to raise funds.

In a tragic twist of fate, Jarvis spent the final years of her life fighting to abolish the very holiday she had created. She died in obscurity, penniless, and without recognition for her efforts.

From Shrines to Shopping Sprees
Today, the International Mother’s Day Shrine stands at the site of the first celebration in Grafton. But while the edifice honors the spiritual beginnings of the holiday, the modern world seems far removed from Jarvis’s original vision.

Yet, scattered across the globe, the essence of Mother’s Day still survives in varied forms. In the UK, “Mothering Sunday,” which predates the American holiday, is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent, harkening back to a time when domestic servants were allowed to return home to visit their mothers and attend service at their “mother church.” Other countries, like Bolivia and Greece, tie their maternal commemorations to historic events or religious significance.

Even within these different cultural frameworks, the day often gets co-opted by commercial interests. However, in some households, the spirit remains: handwritten letters, home-cooked meals, and heartfelt expressions of love continue to echo Jarvis’s original ideals.

A Legacy Beyond the Bloom
As millions around the world pick out cards and carnations this Mother’s Day, it's worth pausing to remember its roots. Behind the pink ribbons and brunch menus lies a tale of pacifism, public health, and a daughter's devotion. Before the candy and keepsakes, there was a movement that sought to honor mothers not with products, but with purpose.

So this year, perhaps the most meaningful gift isn’t something that comes in a box or bouquet—but a moment of true gratitude, a return to the quiet power that started it all.