Mother's
Day Newsletter
May 8, 2006
Contrary to popular belief, the concept of Mother’s Day was not hatched in the boardrooms of Hallmark. Effort in the United States to establish a day to celebrate motherhood and women dates back to 1858 and an Appalachian homemaker named Anna Jarvis. Jarvis organized “Mother’s Work Day” for the local women to raise awareness of poor health conditions in their community. Eventually, the day became involved with and known for the causes of pacifism and social activism.
Her daughter, also named Anna Jarvis, continued the effort to establish a day of recognition for mothers until in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother’s Day as a national holiday. (In 1914 Hall Brothers, as Hallmark Cards was then known, was a fledgling enterprise with no certainty of ever having a boardroom.)
It was the Edwardian Era, and this new tradition began innocently enough with people typically attending church with or writing sentimental letters to their mothers. However, it was only a decade before it morphed into the holiday we know today filled with cards, presents and flowers. Disillusioned with the change of tradition and the lack of sentiment, the younger Anna Jarvis died wishing she had never started Mother’s Day. She was then penniless, having spent her family inheritance fighting against the holiday. Another lesson in “Be careful what you wish for!”
TURQUOISE & DIAMOND EARRINGS 18KT yellow gold twisted wire and turquoise bead earrings having 16 round diamonds.Signed David Webb
$3,000
If you are unable to visit “Mom” in person on Sunday, rob your piggy bank and buy her a Hallmark card to go with this pair of vintage David Webb earrings. Or send her to www.meriwether.net and let her pick out something for herself.
Happy Mother’s Day !!
