The History of Mother's Day
Although others claim they started Mother's Day, Frank E. Hering, a Past Grand Worthy President of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, made the first known public plea for "a national day to honor our mothers" in 1904. Twenty-one years later, the "Society of War Mothers" invited Hering to participate in a special Mother's Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
There, at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," before a large audience including many congressmen and senators, Hering was introduced as "the Father of Mother's Day." That was 11 years after President Woodrow Wilson by Proclamation officially made Mother's Day the second Sunday in May.
Idea originates at Notre Dame
The idea of Mother's Day came to Hering when he was a faculty member at the University Of Notre Dame. Walking into the classroom of a fellow instructor, Hering found his colleague distributing penny postcards to students. Each student addressed his or her card and scribbled a message on it.
"What are they writing?" Hering inquired.
"Anything," his colleague replied. "Anything at all as long as it's to their mothers."
A light bulb went on in Hering's head and the idea of a SPECIAL DAY that would provide FORMAL RCOGNITION FOR MOTHERS began to form. About the same time, Hering was actively involved in an organization that was started a few years earlier on the Seattle waterfront and was quickly gaining popularity — the Fraternal Order of Eagles. By 1904, Hering was a past officer of the South Bend Aerie.
On February 7, 1904, Hering was invited to serve as the main speaker at a memorial sponsored by the Indianapolis Aerie #211 at the English Opera House. It was there that he first publicly verbalized his idea of a "national day of honor for Mothers."
Eagles Carry Torch for Mother's Day
In 1914, legislation in the U.S. Congress requested a presidential proclamation that would designate the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
Hering served as Grand Worthy President in 1909 and again in 1911. As he traveled across the country, his plea for a national Mother's Day became a standard topic during his appearances at Eagles functions. In 1912, he recommended to the Grand Aerie that every local aerie be presented the opportunity to hold Mother's Day exercises "on any Sunday during the year." The proposal was approved and Aeries throughout the nation began to carry the torch for Mother's Day.
This date was encouraged by Anna Jarvis, another crusader for a memorial day for mothers. President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation and May 10, 1914 became the first official Mother's Day.
Question of Who Originated Mother's Day is Settled
As the popularity of Mother's Day continued to grow, many organizations claimed the idea originated with them. The Society of American War Mothers, a national women's organization dedicated to the ideals exemplified by Mother's Day, decided to conduct its own impartial investigation.
After sifting through divergent claims and information, the group's findings were published in the February, 1925 issue of "The American War Mother."
"We have been thoroughly convinced by documented evidence that the inspiration for the present Mother's Day came from a man-Frank E. Hering of South Bend, Indiana-and that the medium through which he carried his campaign over the number of years was the Fraternal Order of Eagles."
The article traced the F.O.E.'s efforts to Hering's first public speeches about on the topic in 1904 and 1905 and concluded that "Mr. Hering's activities and addresses in favor of Mother's Day antedated by three years the first observance of Mother's Day in the city of Philadelphia, which was in May 1908."
The piece also quoted Hering's presentations to the Kansas City Eagles and their guests: "The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an organization of men bound together very largely by sentimental ties. Now, the finest sentiments are those woven around the home. The keystone of the home is the Mother. The Eagles to meet their fullest obligation must do everything in their power to keep the family intact, and to aid mothers and children, especially in times of sickness and want."
During an interview with "The American War Mother," Hering explained, "The observance of Mother's Day is only part of a logical and consistent social welfare philosophy that for a quarter of a century has been intelligently followed by the Eagles. The fundamental proposition is: "Protect the home." The mother is the keystone of the problem. Today this powerful Order has the assets of $30 million and 600,000 members. And the rallying cry is, "For Mother and Home."
Grand Madam President Named "Mother of the Year"
Mother’s Day will be extra special for Grand Madam President Margaret Cox, who has
been named “Mother of the Year” by the Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum in partnership
with the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton, W. Va. Cox will be honored
at the 100th anniversary of the holiday during the Mother’s Day Founder’s Festival,
May 10 and 11.
According to Olive Dadisman, Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum Director, Cox was unanimously
selected for the honor based on her dedication to her family, the less fortunate
and national civic organizations. Cox is the mother of a son and daughter and has
seven grandchildren.
“We were impressed by Margaret’s work on behalf of St. Jude’s and the fact that
she is an excellent mother, wife and community servant,” Dadisman said. “She not
only cares for her own family but supports many children through her charity efforts.”
Cox selected St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as her presidential charity,
with FOE auxiliaries raising more than $53,000 to date.
“Discoveries made at St. Jude’s have changed how the world treats children with
cancer and other catastrophic diseases,” Cox said. “I am delighted the auxiliaries
have worked so hard to make a difference for children in need.”
The first ceremony honoring Cox as “Mother of the Year” will be held at the Anna
Jarvis Birthplace Museum on May 10. Anna Jarvis is considered the “Mother of Mother’s
Day” because in 1908, at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, which is home to
the Mother’s Day Shrine, she convinced the pastor to dedicate the Sunday service
to all mothers. Six years later, Jarvis persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to designate
Mother’s Day as an official national holiday.
The Eagles were also early advocates of Mother’s Day. In 1904, Frank E. Hering,
a Past Grand Worthy President, made the first known public plea for Mother’s Day
and thus became recognized as the “Father of Mother’s Day.”
On May 11, The Mother’s Day Shrine committee will also honor Cox and the West Virginia
State Auxiliary will present her a plaque listing the names of serving state mothers
dating back to 1953.
Dadisman, an FOE auxiliary member, commented, “Mother’s Day started in Grafton,
which is why it is fitting for Margaret to be honored here as ‘Mother of the Year.’
With the International FOE Auxiliary Past West Virginia State Mothers attending,
we will have a wonderful, supportive audience to honor Margaret.”