Take back the Day

In North America, Mother's Day was originally a day marked by women's peace organizations. Mothers whose sons had fought or died on both sides of the American Civil War would meet to patch the country back together again. Mother's Day Work Clubs assisted the encampments during the war to fight typhoid outbreaks. After the war, these groups continued as Mother's Friendship Clubs to help mend the families broken apart by the war.

The role of mothers in our public discourse has taken on the "Forgotten Woman" syndrome and we need a "Susan Boyle moment" to reclaim our place in society. We have voices that need to be heard on the national, provincial and local stages.

Rather than or in addition to flowers, chocolates or dinner out, why not take back this day to make our society more livable for our families. Let's talk about peace, let's talk about the things that need fixing in our societies. It's the one day when we ARE listened to and now is the time to make a difference. Let's de-commodify Mother's Day and make it about our role in society and making a difference in our families and our communities.

Peace would be much more comforting than a box of chocolates.