Last Sunday my pastor preached a sermon on the origins of Mother's Day. Back in 1870, only five years after the Civil War, Julia Ward Howe put out a call to mothers to unite. She is famous for writing the words for the Battle Hymn of the Republic ("Mine eyes have seen the glory..."). This proclamation is a call to to disarm and to end war. "Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience." She also called for an international congress of women for the purpose of promoting international alliances and settling international questions for the interests of peace.
This is not the Hallmark holiday we have come to know. But a day of activism to bring about justice is the perfect gift by and for Mom. There are still moms who need child care, job training and jobs, a higher minimum wage, and health care. Many moms need more than flowers.
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