Mother's Day Proclamation

Happy Mother’s Day

When our first son was born, I remember holding him in my arms in the hospital and declaring to my family, “I would rather be a mother than a Minister, any day.” Since then, I became the mother of two more sons, and the sentiment still holds. I have learned, however, that being a mother and a Minister can be compatible.

Over the years, both as a mother and a Minister, protecting my children and other Parent’s children from harm has been one of my main missions in life.

I have learned, however, that it is not within my power to protect them from all harm anymore than God, who loves us like a Parent can protect us from all harm. That does not mean that we cannot do anything to make the world a safer place. The first proposal for a national Mother’s Day came from Julia Ward Howe in 1870. She was a feminist, a poet, and a pacifist.

I can do no better on Mother’s Day in 2026 than share her proclamation which it is long past time to take seriously, individually and corporately.

Following the American Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War, Howe made the following Proclamation and called for the celebration of Mother’s Day every June 2. Thirty-six years later, an official Mother’s Day was declared by Anna Jarvis who said her mother was influenced by Julia Ward Howe.

THE ORIGINAL MOTHER’S DAY PROCLAMATION by Julia Ward Howe

“Arise then, women of this day!

Arise, all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears! Say firmly: We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us reeking with carnage for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience. We, women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says: arm, Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence vindicate possession. As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil for the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of council.

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead. Let them then solemnly take council with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after his own kind the sacred imprint impress, not of Caesar, but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”

************************************************************

All these years after Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation, let us take up the cause of peace. Let us proclaim the absurdity and tragedy of war on this Mother’s Day and every day thereafter. Let us declare that we will no longer engage in war or tolerate leaders who send young sons and daughters off to war.