The celebration of Mother's Day has roots in ancient Greece and medieval England, and I encourage all of you to look into the history of this special day. In our own country, the Mother's Day holiday was inspired by two resolute ladies in the 1800's who believed that women deserved better. One of these women is Julia Ward Howe who wrote "Battle Hymn of the Republic." In the early 1870s, disgusted by war, she called for women to rise up and oppose war in all its forms. In her declaration for a Mother's Day for Peace, she stated, "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 someplace deemed most convenient to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace."
No mother ever wants to outlive her children. An unknown Vietnamese soldier once said, "Every bullet first pierces the heart of a mother." This was felt strongly by the first Women In Black and continues throughout the world, including here in Homer, to this day.
While we honor our mothers on the second Sunday of May, perhaps mothers themselves should take a moment to reflect upon the origins and the meanings of their holiday. Let them celebrate by standing up for peace and justice in the spirit of the holiday as envisioned by Julia Ward Howe.
Happy Mother's Day.
Emily Ward, a Woman in Black
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