Mother's Day, what is the origin of this Celebrated Day? Here's some of the pieces to the puzzle, starting with American Ms. Julia Ward Howe.
Mother's in general have been celebrated as loving symbols since Motherhood began. In many different cultures the symbol of Mother, as in Mother Nature, All Mother's Children, in the Pagan Realms, The Goddess of Love, Eastre the Goddess of Spring, Cleopatra the Strong Female Pharaoh of Egypt. Rhea, the mother of many Gods and Goddesses in the Greek mythology. In Ancient Roman they celebrated the spring festival by the name of Hilaria in honor of Cybele, a mother goddess, some 250 years before Christ was born. Even Eve from the Garden, was celebrated as the first Mother to give birth. And the Christians celebrate the Virgin Mother Mary.
How did Mother's Day come to be the way it is today?
Ms. Julia Ward Howe, is significant to the Mother's Day Holiday directly, not only because she was a doting mother of six, not only because she was a pioneer in Women's Literature, not only because she was an activist in Women's Rights, when it wasn't even heard of..
It's because she was an original, and determined woman, who inspired other women to stand for what they believed in.
For the mother's whose sons perished in the Civil War? They heard Ms. Julia's Ward Howe's cry to end the war. In protest of the degradation of war, the women joined Julia in the protest, and that's when Mother's Day Holiday really took off. Julia wrote a Mother's Day Proclamation, which still rings true today. Julia spent her entire life writing about Women's Feelings, Struggles and Plights. She headed and founded countless Women's Clubs, was an abolitionist--Supported Anti-Slavery, was also a Social Activist. She has been revered as the woman who inspired other women to demand respect, and the livelihood of women today is all the better, due to her grand efforts, and achievements.
Who was Ms. Julia Ward Howe?
Julia is known the world over as a writer, poet, playwright, essayist, travel writer, reformist, and activist in the feminist club. Julia was born in in New York City on May 27, 1819. She had six siblings and her parents were Julia Rush Cutler, who passed away when Julia was five, and Samuel Ward, who was a successful banker, and over protective father. Julia spoke five languages, Latin, Italian, German, French, and Greek, and she also tutored in the subjects of literature, science and mathematics. In her early 20's, listed under anonymous, Julia wrote several published articles of literary review, in the Literary and Theological Review and the New York Review.
Julia met her husband Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe. at the New England Institute for the Blind, where he was a tutor, later he founded Perkins Institute for the Blind. Samuel was 18 years Julia's senior, he suffered multiple handicaps, and they married on April, 1843. Their marriage was a rough one, with time of contemplation of divorce, for the most Samuel part didn't appreciate Julia for her writing skills and achievements, and was often cynical about her writing, and often times tried to discourage her in her efforts. She barred five children, and as she and her husband matured with age, they eventually grew to appreciate one another, and she sung his praises in her biography.
What did Julia Ward Howe do to ignite such interest in her life?
Her "Greatest Sacrifice.' Was staying married to a man, because he threatened to take her children away if she divorced him. She inherited great wealth from her deceased father, which her husband Samuel took control over.
1848
Julia published anthologies of poems, much to her husband's disapproval.
1853
She co-edited on an anti-slavery journal, 'The Commonwealth', where Julia wrote social and literary criticism to the journal.
Anonymously published
1854
'Passion Flowers' shedding light on Julia's domestic unhappiness in a collection of poems. Despite being anonymous, Julia was well known as the author. Published by Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields.
1857
Julia Ward Howe's poems were published.
1857
'Words for the Hour'. Also as a playwright, Julia's play, 'The World's Own' was performed in New York and Boston. And she had a report published in the New York Tribune in 1860 of a trip to Cuba. Published by Boston: Ticknor and Fields,
1898
Sunset Ridge, Poems Old and New. Poetry of Julia Ward Howe. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin & Co.
1866
Later Lyrics. Poetry of Julia Ward Howe. Boston: J. E. Tilton & company.
1910
At Sunset. Poetry of Julia Ward Howe. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
1874
Sex and education: a response to Dr. E.H. Clarke's "Sex in education." Boston: Roberts Bros.
1891
Woman's work in America. New York: N. Holt and Co.
1899
Reminiscences: 1819–1899. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
1913
Julia Ward Howe and the woman suffrage movement: a selection from her speeches and essays. Boston. D. Estes.
Julia and her husband Samuel attended a Union army review which was washed out by a Confederate attack. Upon the trip home, the Howe's sang patriotic songs along with the others in the group. James Freeman Clarke, one of the group, posed the idea to Julia that she could write better lyrics to the song "John Brown's Body". Later that night, in the dimlit hotel room, Julia Ward Howe composed the lyrics to the infamous song of the Civil War, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on."
February 1862.
‘The Atlantic Monthly' published Julia's song, and it caught on like wildfire sweeping the North, inspiring Union Soldiers who fought against slavery, and it is now known as the national anthem for freedom.
Clubs to which Julia Ward Howe Belonged.
1850's-- Social Activism
Julia was greatly influenced by the William Lloyd's anti-slavery group. Julia and Samuel worked with the Sanitary Commission during the time the war commenced.
1868
co-founded the New England Woman's Club
Julia Ward Howe and Caroline Severance.
1868-77 and 1893-1910
President of the New England Woman Suffrage Association and served as its president,
1869
Julia and Lucy Stone conducted the formation of the American Woman Suffrage Association.
1870-78 and 1891-93
Julia Ward Howe presided over the Massachusetts Suffrage Association. Julia made momentous contributions to the Woman's Journal, which was founded by Lucy Stone. This aspect of her life gave Julia hope for women, and her outlook on womanhood was changed in a positive way.
1870's
Was when the Franco-Prussian war was going on. Julia initiated a one-woman peace crusade and deliberated an impassioned "appeal to womanhood" in her plea to rise against war.
Julia translated her Mothers Day Proclamation, which was written in 1870 in Boston, into the many languages in which she spoke, and ensured it had a wide distribution.
1872
Julia Ward Howe journeyed to London seeking to initiate an International Woman's Peace Congress.
Back In Boston
On the second Sunday of June, Julia begat a Mothers' Peace Day Observance, and carried on the meetings faithfully for years.
Julia initiated and campaigned to declare an official holiday, for the Celebration of Mother's Day. The concept, although was acceptable, was later changed to Mother's Day Holiday, which is currently celebrated in May.
Julia was a strong public speaker, and utilized that ability to speak to Women's Clubs during her travels.
1893
Julia addressed The World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, titled "What Is Religion?"
1908
Julia Ward Howe was the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
October 17, 1910
Julia Ward Howe's departing from this world from a bout of pneumonia at her home Oak Glen,in Portsmouth, Rhode Island when she was 91 years old. Her celebrated life, had a grave impact on those who's lives she touched. Her funeral which was held at the Church of the Disciples and also a memorial was held at Symphony Hall, it was filled with many people who paid their respects to Julia, the Pioneer to Women's Literature. Julia is buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Julia Ward Howe is listed in the 'Notable American Women' and also in the 'American National Biography'. Ms. Julia Ward Howe will always be remembered as the Pioneer of the Celebrated, Mother's Day Holiday.
1970
Julia Ward Howe was inducted into the Song Writers Hall of Fame.
It has been a privilege to write an article about such a revered, and dignified woman, such as Julia Ward Howe.
Happy Mother's Day
By: Sacreeta
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