May: International Mother’s Day – All About My Mother

A Beautiful Tribute to Motherhood and Womanhood

For May’s theme, International Mother’s Day, featuring Pedro Almodóvar’s All About My Mother (1999). This deeply moving film celebrates motherhood, identity, and the strength of women.

A Streetcar Named Desire has marked my life. 🌈 🎭

All About My Mother (1999), Pedro Almodóvar’s award-winning masterpiece exploring motherhood, identity, and resilience.

A Brief History of International Mother’s Day

International Mother’s Day is a celebration of mothers and maternal figures, honouring their role in shaping families and society. While its modern incarnation is widely commercialised, the history of Mother’s Day is rooted in ancient traditions, religious observances, and social activism. Here’s how the day evolved:

• Anna Jarvis and the Establishment of Mother’s Day (1908–1914)

  • Anna Jarvis’s Campaign:
    • Anna Jarvis, daughter of Ann Reeves Jarvis, is credited with founding the modern Mother’s Day in the United States.
    • In 1908, she held the first official Mother’s Day celebration at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to honour her mother’s work.
    • Anna believed Mother’s Day should be a personal celebration of the sacrifices mothers make for their children.
  • National Recognition:
    • Jarvis campaigned tirelessly, writing letters to newspapers and politicians. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day in the United States.
• International Expansion

  • Mother’s Day spread globally throughout the 20th century, with many countries adopting it:
    • United Kingdom: Mothering Sunday retained its association with Lent but took on the spirit of modern Mother’s Day.
    • India: Mother’s Day is celebrated in urban areas as a Western influence, honouring maternal figures.
    • Japan: During World War II, Mother’s Day was repurposed to honour the Empress. After the war, it became a day to celebrate all mothers, often with gifts of red carnations.
    • Ethiopia: During the Antrosht festival, mothers are celebrated with songs and feasts prepared by their children.
• Commercialisation and Criticism

  • Growth of Commercialisation:
    • By the 1920s, Mother’s Day became heavily commercialised, with companies promoting flowers, cards, and gifts.
    • Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day, became disillusioned by the day’s commercialisation, stating:
      • “A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”
  • Global Sales Today:
    • Mother’s Day generates billions in revenue annually, particularly in the flower, chocolate, and jewellery industries.
• Modern Observances

  • UN International Day of Families (May 15):
    • In addition to Mother’s Day, the United Nations celebrates families in May, acknowledging the importance of nurturing relationships.
  • Global Differences:
    • While many countries celebrate on the second Sunday of May, others have unique dates:
      • Norway: Celebrated on the second Sunday of February.
      • Thailand: Mother’s Day falls on August 12th, the birthday of Queen Sirikit.
• The Role of Mother’s Day Today

  • A Day for Reflection:
    • Beyond the commercialisation, Mother’s Day remains a time to express gratitude and reflect on the impact of mothers and maternal figures.
  • Inclusion of Diverse Families:
    • Modern Mother’s Day celebrations increasingly recognise non-traditional family structures, such as single parents, LGBTQ+ families, and adoptive mothers.

Mother’s Day / Mothering Sunday is a deeply meaningful celebration rooted in history, activism, and love. Despite its commercialisation, its essence remains a reminder of the sacrifices and unconditional love of mothers everywhere.

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