Historian Taylor Schmalz is reminding all of us this Mother’s Day of the woman who started the holiday over a century ago and later despised what it became. But she’s painting its founder in a brighter light, writes Elizabeth Wellington for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Schmalz is a director at Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives, working to share the story of Anna Jarvis—a woman whose sincere love for her own mother prompted the desire to honor mothers everywhere.
“Anna Jarvis wanted mothers to have an intimate day that celebrated them,” said Schmalz. “She had a vision. People love the holiday, but they don’t remember her, or her vision.”
Jarvis was deeply inspired by her mother Anna Maria Reeves Jarvis, who gave birth to 13 babies, of which only four survived to adulthood. She moved to Philadelphia around 1904 with her brother, and Reeves Jarvis later followed. Unfortunately, Reeves Jarvis died a year later after an illness.
Her last wish was for her daughter to help promote the invisible battles of motherhood.
Jarvis got to work sending letters to politicians and city officials, gaining recognition over the next five years, until 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson signed an official Mother’s Day proclamation for May. Her campaign had won, but at what cost?
The commercialization of the holiday took off as people bought carnations, printed cards, flags, and anything else to “show” their appreciation for mothers.
Jarvis disliked the direction it was going. She was even arrested in 1925 when she tried to stop the sale of Mother’s Day carnations.
“She was so passionate,” said Schmalz. “In her mind, she was like, ‘How dare you use Mother’s Day to profit.’”
Jarvis never married or had children. She died in West Chester on Nov. 24, 1948.
Schmalz isn’t saying to forget buying your mom a bouquet on Sunday, she’s trying to highlight Jarvis’ passion and dedication instead of the anger and resentment of the holiday she helped create.
Read more about the story of Anna Jarvis and understand the new angle from Taylor Schmalz at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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