The Original Mother's Day

In the 19th century, the effects of the Civil War were horrific upon the peoples of our country. Julia Ward Howe is one writer who was passionately inspired to write eloquently during that century. Perhaps she was best known by some for her song, Battle Hymn of the Republic. Other's remember her well for her endless activism for the rights of women and their role and necessity in creating a world of peace.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe wrote the following proclamation in Boston, historically creating the first Mother's Day! It surely is as poignant today as it was at the close of the Civil War. It is my pleasure to share her important words with you ~

"Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts,
Whether your baptism be that of water or of tears
Say firmly:
We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.

We women of one country
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.
From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor
Nor violence indicate possession.

As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions.
The great and general interests of peace.