Anna Jarvis
Founder of Mother's Day
Founder of Mother's Day
"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. And candy! You take a box to Mother - and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment."
the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother - and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment."
These words came from the mouth of Anna Jarvis, Founder of Mother's Day.
Anna Marie Jarvis was born in Webster inTaylor county, West Virginia West Virginia
Anna Marie Jarvis was born in Webster in
During the Civil War, Mrs. Anna Jarvis urged the Mothers' Day Work Clubs to declare their neutrality and to help both Union and Confederate soldiers. The clubs treated the wounded and fed and clothed soldiers that were stationed in the area. Near the end of the war, the Jarvis family moved to the larger town of Grafton , West Virginia Virginia
In the summer of 1865, Anna Jarvis organized a Mothers' Friendship Day at the courthouse in Pruntytown to bring together soldiers and neighbors of all political beliefs. The event was a complete success promoting friendship and peace. Mothers' Friendship Day became an annual event for several years. After the death of her father in 1902, Anna --along with her mother and sister, Lillie -- moved to Philadelphia U.S.
In 1907, Miss Anna began a campaign to establish a national Mother's Day. Anna led a small tribute to her mother at Andrews Methodist Church Philadelphia
Miss Jarvis and her supporters began to write to godly ministers, evangelists, businessmen, and politicians in their crusade to establish a national Mother's Day. This campaign was a success. By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in theUnion . In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.
The one-woman crusade of Anna Jarvis is often overlooked in History books. Women during the early 1900s were engaged in many other reform efforts that the history behind Mother's Day is often neglected. But it is likely that it was these other reforms and the avenues they opened for women that paved the way for Anna Jarvis to succeed in her campaign for Mother's Day.
It must be noted that, while Miss Jarvis spent most of her adult life striving to create a special day to honor mothers, in the end, she was disappointed with the way Mother's Day turned out. As the popularity of the holiday grew, so did it's commercialization. What she had intended as a day of sentiment quickly turned into a day of profit. In the end, shortly before her death, Anna Jarvis told a reporter that she was sorry she ever started Mother's Day.
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Miss Jarvis and her supporters began to write to godly ministers, evangelists, businessmen, and politicians in their crusade to establish a national Mother's Day. This campaign was a success. By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state in the
The one-woman crusade of Anna Jarvis is often overlooked in History books. Women during the early 1900s were engaged in many other reform efforts that the history behind Mother's Day is often neglected. But it is likely that it was these other reforms and the avenues they opened for women that paved the way for Anna Jarvis to succeed in her campaign for Mother's Day.
It must be noted that, while Miss Jarvis spent most of her adult life striving to create a special day to honor mothers, in the end, she was disappointed with the way Mother's Day turned out. As the popularity of the holiday grew, so did it's commercialization. What she had intended as a day of sentiment quickly turned into a day of profit. In the end, shortly before her death, Anna Jarvis told a reporter that she was sorry she ever started Mother's Day.
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STORY OF ANNA JARVIS
The story of Mothers Day is the story of firm determination of a daughter, Anna Jarvis who resolved to pay tribute to her mother, Mrs Anna M Jarvis and all other mothers of the world. Anna Jarvis dedicated her life to fulfill her mothers dream of the recognition of day for honoring mothers. Though never a mother herself, Founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis is today recognised as the 'Mother of Mothers Day'. An apt title to define the remarkable woman's ceaseless devotion to her mother and motherhood in general.
Anna Jarvis: Childhood
Anna Jarvis was born in Webster, Taylor County, West Virginia, on May 1, 1864. She was the ninth of eleven children born to Ann Marie and Granville Jarvis. Her family moved to Grafton when Anna was a year old. It was here that the Anna did her schooling. In 1881, she enrolled at theAugusta Female Academy in Staunton , Virginia , now Mary Baldwin College
Anna Jarvis: Inspiration for Mothers Day
Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mothers Day quite early in life. It so happened that one day when Anna was 12 years old, Anna's mother Mrs Jarvis said a class prayer in the presence of her daughter. To conclude the lesson on 'Mothers of the Bible', Mrs Jarvis said a small prayer,
"I hope that someone, sometime will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it."
Anna never forgot this prayer. And at her Mothers graveside service, she recalled the prayer and said, "...by the grace of God, you shall have that Mothers Day." The words were overheard by her brother Claude.
Anna Jarvis: The Struggle for Mothers Day
After the death of her mother in 1905, Anna Jarvis resolved to honor her mother. She became all the more serious in her resolution when she found that adult children in theUS
In 1907, Miss Anna began an aggressive campaign to establish a National Mothers Day in US. On the second death anniversary of her mother she led a small tribute to her mother atAndrews Methodist Church Philadelphia
To give shape to her resolution, Miss Anna Jarvis along with her supporters began to write hundreds of letters to those holding the positions of power advocate the need for a national Mothers Day. A fluent speaker, Anna used every platform to promote her cause. Though the response was cold initially, she achieved a breakthrough by gaining the support of great merchant and philanthropist, John Wanamaker ofPhiladelphia Puerto Rico , Hawaii , Canada and Mexico
By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state of theUnion . And in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the second Sunday of May.
Anna Jarvis: Purpose of Celebrating Mothers Day
An activist to the core, Anna Jarvis stepped outside the four walls of the house. Striking feature of her personality is that she did not frowned on the traditional women who felt complacent staying at home. Instead she strived to bestow honor and dignity on women who were homemakers. This was one of her main purpose of celebrating Mothers Day.
Mothers Day is meant to give due honor to the woman who gave us birth and life. Though we often have the feeling of gratitude towards our mothers we do not confess it often. Mothers Day is celebrated to share those feeling with our mothers. To spend some time with her and make her feel special. Those staying away from mothers must express their feelings of love and gratitude by writing to them or talking over phone.
Anna Jarvis: Her Disappointment with Mothers Day Commercialisation
It is poignant to note that though Miss Anna Jarvis devoted her life for the establishment of national Mothers Day but in the end she was disappointed at the way thing turned out. She was concerned with reform, not revenue. She hated the commercialisation of the day, so much so that she felt sorry for ever starting the tradition of celebrating Mothers Day.
Anna died at the age of 84 on November 24, 1948. She is interred beside her mother inWest Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia Anna Jarvis Birthplace Museum
Anna Jarvis: Her Mother, Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis
Mrs Anna M. Jarvis gave birth to 11 children but only four lived to adulthood. Inspite of the large family, Mrs Jarvis maintained an active life. She regularly participated in activities of the church and civic affairs. Her remarkable contribution to the society in which she lived was the formation of Mothers Day Work Clubs in the local churches. Mrs Anna Jarvis called on the women of Webster,Philippi , Pruntytown, Fetterman and Grafton to join the club and combat poor health and sanitation conditions that existed in those time in their neighbourhood and attributed to the high mortality rate of children. The clubs were highly successful and their role in tackling the local community problem was honored by all.
During the Civil Wars, Mrs Anna Jarvis urged the members of Mothers' Day Work Clubs to take a neutral stand and nurse bothUnion and Confederate soldiers. Near the end of the war, the Jarvis family moved to the larger town of Grafton , West Virginia
In 1865, after the Civil War, Anna Jarvis organized a Mothers' Friendship Day at Pruntytown Courthouse. This was done to bring together soldiers and neighbors of all political beliefs. The event was a big success and came to be organised annually for several years to promote peace and friendship.
Mrs Anna Jarvis was also an active member of the church. She took charge of the primary department of the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church school when the church was completed in 1873. For more than two decades, she taught the students of the school. Mrs Jarvis was also a renowned speaker of her times. Her lectures were quite popular in the church
After the death of her husband, Granville E. Jarvis, in 1902, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis moved with her daughters, Anna and Lillie, toPhiladelphia West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia
Anna Jarvis: Childhood
Anna Jarvis was born in Webster, Taylor County, West Virginia, on May 1, 1864. She was the ninth of eleven children born to Ann Marie and Granville Jarvis. Her family moved to Grafton when Anna was a year old. It was here that the Anna did her schooling. In 1881, she enrolled at the
Anna Jarvis: Inspiration for Mothers Day
Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mothers Day quite early in life. It so happened that one day when Anna was 12 years old, Anna's mother Mrs Jarvis said a class prayer in the presence of her daughter. To conclude the lesson on 'Mothers of the Bible', Mrs Jarvis said a small prayer,
"I hope that someone, sometime will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it."
Anna never forgot this prayer. And at her Mothers graveside service, she recalled the prayer and said, "...by the grace of God, you shall have that Mothers Day." The words were overheard by her brother Claude.
Anna Jarvis: The Struggle for Mothers Day
After the death of her mother in 1905, Anna Jarvis resolved to honor her mother. She became all the more serious in her resolution when she found that adult children in the
In 1907, Miss Anna began an aggressive campaign to establish a National Mothers Day in US. On the second death anniversary of her mother she led a small tribute to her mother at
To give shape to her resolution, Miss Anna Jarvis along with her supporters began to write hundreds of letters to those holding the positions of power advocate the need for a national Mothers Day. A fluent speaker, Anna used every platform to promote her cause. Though the response was cold initially, she achieved a breakthrough by gaining the support of great merchant and philanthropist, John Wanamaker of
By 1911, Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state of the
Anna Jarvis: Purpose of Celebrating Mothers Day
An activist to the core, Anna Jarvis stepped outside the four walls of the house. Striking feature of her personality is that she did not frowned on the traditional women who felt complacent staying at home. Instead she strived to bestow honor and dignity on women who were homemakers. This was one of her main purpose of celebrating Mothers Day.
Mothers Day is meant to give due honor to the woman who gave us birth and life. Though we often have the feeling of gratitude towards our mothers we do not confess it often. Mothers Day is celebrated to share those feeling with our mothers. To spend some time with her and make her feel special. Those staying away from mothers must express their feelings of love and gratitude by writing to them or talking over phone.
Anna Jarvis: Her Disappointment with Mothers Day Commercialisation
It is poignant to note that though Miss Anna Jarvis devoted her life for the establishment of national Mothers Day but in the end she was disappointed at the way thing turned out. She was concerned with reform, not revenue. She hated the commercialisation of the day, so much so that she felt sorry for ever starting the tradition of celebrating Mothers Day.
Anna died at the age of 84 on November 24, 1948. She is interred beside her mother in
Anna Jarvis: Her Mother, Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis
Mrs Anna M. Jarvis gave birth to 11 children but only four lived to adulthood. Inspite of the large family, Mrs Jarvis maintained an active life. She regularly participated in activities of the church and civic affairs. Her remarkable contribution to the society in which she lived was the formation of Mothers Day Work Clubs in the local churches. Mrs Anna Jarvis called on the women of Webster,
During the Civil Wars, Mrs Anna Jarvis urged the members of Mothers' Day Work Clubs to take a neutral stand and nurse both
In 1865, after the Civil War, Anna Jarvis organized a Mothers' Friendship Day at Pruntytown Courthouse. This was done to bring together soldiers and neighbors of all political beliefs. The event was a big success and came to be organised annually for several years to promote peace and friendship.
Mrs Anna Jarvis was also an active member of the church. She took charge of the primary department of the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church school when the church was completed in 1873. For more than two decades, she taught the students of the school. Mrs Jarvis was also a renowned speaker of her times. Her lectures were quite popular in the church
After the death of her husband, Granville E. Jarvis, in 1902, Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis moved with her daughters, Anna and Lillie, to
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ANOTHER STORY ON ANNA JARVIS
Anna Jarvis was born in the tiny town of Webster in Taylor County, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis. The family moved to nearby Grafton, West Virginia in her childhood. She graduated from what is now Mary Baldwin College in 1883.
On May 12, 1907, two years after her mother's death, she held a memorial to her mother and thereafter embarked upon a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday. She succeeded in making this nationally recognized in 1914. The International Mother's Day Shrine was established in Grafton to commemorate her accomplishment.
By the 1920s, Anna Jarvis had become soured by the commercialization of the holiday. She incorporated herself as the Mother’s Day International Association, trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and was once arrested for disturbing the peace. She and her sister Ellsinore spent their family inheritance campaigning against the holiday. Both died in poverty. According to her New York Times obituary, Jarvis became embittered because too many people sent their mothers a printed greeting card. As she said,
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. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment.
—Anna Jarvis.
Anna Marie Jarvis never married and had no children. She died in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and is buried in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
