United Methodist Women members have a legacy of answering God's call to help those in need. This call has led us to make maternal and child health in our communities and around the world a top priority for the next four years. Another focus undergirding all our work is building peace. Our organization has worked in both areas for 150 years. In fact, those issues led Methodist women to inspire the observance we now call Mother's Day.
In the late 1860s, before Mother's Day was an official holiday in the U.S., Ann Jarvis started mother's clubs that served poor and sick mothers and their children. Later Mothers' Friendship Day was founded to build peace after the Civil War ended.
Watch The Founding Mothers of Mother's Day for more about the Methodist roots of this holiday.
In the 21st century, women play increasingly important roles in church, society and families; women who mother deserve to be honored. It's important to remember that not all women who mother have children, yet their mothering helps others just as much. A woman's worth should not be measured by whether or not she has children. Many women without children have been inspiring leaders, mentors and surrogate mothers to young people in ways that helped transform them into mature adults. There are women who have sought adoption and been mothers in ways that biological mothers could not. Women, especially United Methodist Women members, serve others with faith, hope and love in their homes, their communities and the world with their time and through Gifts to Mission every day.
While the intent of each second Sunday in May is joyful recognition, some women experience pain and remember losses on this occasion. Read A Day for All Who Mother for a perspective on making Mother's Day more inclusive and how you can avoid unintended harm.
From here on out on Mother's Day, pause in gratitude for the treasured women in your life, including yourself. Celebrate all those who mothered you, those who support you now and those whom you nurture. May it be a day you commit to be more compassionate and ferocious in your love for others.
The Founding Mothers of Mother’s Day
Harriett Olson, CEO of United Methodist Women, and Donna Miller, archivist at Historic St. George's United Methodist Church, tell us more about the women behind Mother's Day.
Read the transcript
Mother's Day is a day to celebrate all women who mother. The author writes of "unconditional love, unstoppable love, faithful and ferocious love." Wherever it comes from and on whomever it is bestowed - it is worthy of celebrating!