Mother’s Day – Honoring the Most Important Job In the World

On the second Sunday of May, Ukraine, the US and many European countries celebrate Mother's Day. In 2023, the holiday falls on May 14.


Mother’s Day is celebrated in Ukraine, the United States of America, Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Switzerland, Greece, and numerous other countries. It is a day dedicated to appreciating the invaluable contributions of women to the birth and upbringing of children.

The Origins of Mother’s Day

The modern celebration of Mother’s Day was initiated by an American woman named Anna Jarvis in 1908. Her mother, Ann Jarvis, had founded mother’s clubs during the Civil War, where she taught child care skills. After the war, Ann organized Mother’s Friendship Day. That was a gathering that brought together mothers and former soldiers from both sides in the spirit of reconciliation.

Following her mother’s passing, Anna Jarvis took it upon herself to establish a dedicated day for honoring the sacrifices made by mothers for their children and to make it a national holiday. She launched a truly extensive campaign. She was writing letters to newspapers and influential politicians, urging them to embrace a special day of motherhood commemoration.

By 1912, numerous states, cities, and churches had adopted Mother’s Day as an annual celebration. So, Anna established the International Mother’s Day Association to further advance the cause. Her tireless efforts paid off in 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed a law officially designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

Interestingly, as the holiday gained popularity and became commercialized, Anna Jarvis began to rally against it. She believed that the day should remain a personal and intimate observance, rather than a commercial opportunity for selling flowers, cards, and gifts. However, Mother’s Day had already taken on a life of its own. Anna ended up exhausting her entire fortune in legal battles attempting to preserve her original vision.

Future Generations Are Indebted To the Selfless Sacrifices Made by Their Mothers


Pregnancy and childbirth bring about profound and lasting changes in a woman’s body. It affects every aspect of her physiology, engaging all the intricate systems within her.

However, the impact goes beyond the realm of physiology alone.

Women shoulder the weight of over 75% of the total hours dedicated to unpaid caregiving. That’s a staggering 3.2 times more than men. Yet, it is often mothers who bear the burden of guilt for having to navigate the delicate balance between work and caring for their children. Juggling the responsibilities of caregiving and professional pursuits, mothers are more susceptible to burnout and psychological challenges.

It’s disheartening to note that approximately a quarter of mothers forfeit career advancement opportunities due to their parental duties. Moreover, mothers are 40% more likely than fathers to express that their careers have been negatively impacted by the demands of childcare.

Despite these challenges, women continue to embrace the journey of motherhood. No matter how demanding, exhausting, and at times unacknowledged the work may be, it remains a testament to the strength and dedication of mothers everywhere.

Today, and always, let us honor and celebrate the incredible role of mothers in our lives.

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