Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a holiday celebrated on May 10th in Mexico; and it is on the second Sunday of May in the United States. It is a celebration that extends beyond the biological aspect of procreation, reaching and expressing within the cultural, ideological and social aspects of communities. It is a day when families celebrate and express their love and devotion to the women who are mothers. But how did it begin? What is the history behind this very significant celebration?
The adoration of female deities associated with fertility has evolved over thousands of years, since human beings first began to develop an awareness of their surroundings, and started practicing ritual and religious ceremonies. In the case of Mexico and the United States, a syncretism emerged between the festivities honoring the fertility goddesses of Indigenous groups and European traditions. In the United States, the concept of a celebration dedicated to mothers first took root in the 18th century with Ann Jarvis, through her “Mother’s Day Work Clubs;” later, in 1870, Julia Ward wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation.” In 1908, Anna Jarvis in honor of her mother, Ann Reeves, proposed the establishment of “Mother’s Day” to pay tribute to all women who are mothers. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law a measure designating the second Sunday of May as the official date for the celebration of Mother’s Day. It is worth noting that, later on, Anna Jarvis attempted to have Mother’s Day removed from the calendar, as she was in complete disagreement with the way the celebration had been utilized by business interests seeking to profit through the sale of gifts instead of celebrating the human aspect of it. In the case of Mexico, it was in 1922 that the Mexican politician José Vasconcelos in conjunction with the Catholic Church established the celebration of mothers, primarily to emphasize the role of motherhood and the care of children as their responsibility. Besides its history and the various ways in which it is celebrated, the most important thing to remember is that, on this day, and on every day of the year, we should give our mothers the attention, affection, love, and care that they truly deserve. “…My mother’s hands arrive in the backyard early everything turns into a celebration when she plays alongside other birds who love life and build it through their labor…” Excerpt from “Las Manos de mi Madre” (My Mother’s Hands), sung by Mercedes Sosa. |