Mother Talkers :: Julia Ward Howe, Take 3

Julia Ward Howe, Take 3

by Erin

Fri May 09, 2008 at 11:24:22 AM PDT

I realize that this is the third year in a row that I've posted Julia Ward Howe's beautiful Mother's Day Proclamation. Well, there's still a war going on, so why stop now?

You may already know this, but I'll repeat it anyway: This is not a Hallmark holiday. It's an activist holiday, founded by women who had lost sons in the civil war.

Julia Ward Howe, activist, abolitionist and poet, made this Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870.

Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

I agree, Julia. I agree.

Erin's diary :: ::

Tags: Julia Ward Howe, Mother's Day, War, Women's history (all tags)

My nightmare (0 / 0)

I have two little boys, and the idea that I would ever have to send them to battle just makes me shudder. I ache for those mothers who have children away at war, any war. Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to post her proclamation next year?

by coobert on Fri May 09, 2008 at 12:03:52 PM PDT
- It would be great (0 / 0)
  
  and this year it's actually possible!
  
  by Erin on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:02:37 AM PDT
  
  [ Parent ]
Thank you. (0 / 0)

I honestly had no idea this isn't a Hallmark Holiday. I feel better about it now that I know how it started.
So again, thank you.

And I echo the sentiment:

Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to post her proclamation next year?

by face121 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 03:04:07 PM PDT
- I was so excited (0 / 0)
  
  when I learned about this, on my very first Mother's Day. Although I'll admit to spending the holiday the way Hallmark intended.
  
  by Erin on Sat May 10, 2008 at 09:03:48 AM PDT
  
  [ Parent ]
Thanks for the reminder (0 / 0)

It's a great quote. And as an activist holiday, I think it applies to all women who love a child, their own or not.

On a lighter note, here in Minnesota, the fishing opener is always Mother's Day weekend. I'm fortunate that DH does not fish, but plenty of other moms complain that they take the back seat today to catching the first big one. It does seem silly...many of the lakes in the north are not even free of ice yet.

Still, if they want change, I think the moms ought to get together and petition the legislature. Let's see some activism!

by cynmill on Sun May 11, 2008 at 12:56:31 PM PDT
- opening (0 / 0)
  
  The fishing opening is always on Mother's Day? That kind of stinks!
  
  by NJmom on Mon May 12, 2008 at 06:26:14 AM PDT
  
  [ Parent ]
  - Yup (0 / 0)
    
    Always that weekend, any way. I know some guys come home Sunday, but if they haven't caught one yet, they stay through the weekend.
    
    by cynmill on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:04:06 AM PDT
    
    [ Parent ]
    - Wow (0 / 0)
      
      is the state doing that as some sort of twisted test?
      
      by Erin on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:52:01 AM PDT
      
      [ Parent ]
      - Maybe (0 / 0)
        
        I do personally feel that I wouldn't have married a guy who picks fishing over his family. The fish will still be there next week...the ice may have even melted off the lake by then!
        
        by cynmill on Mon May 12, 2008 at 09:58:01 AM PDT
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        I hope (0 / 0)
        
        most guys wouldn't choose to fish on the first day of fishing season over their families, but why deliberately put them in a position where they have to choose? It seems like it really could cause conflict and resentment in some families. Especially when you consider that Mother's Day moves around, I think.
        
        by Erin on Mon May 12, 2008 at 10:02:43 AM PDT
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        It is crazy (0 / 0)
        
        But many, many men here make that choice. The opener is always the second Saturday in May, so it's always the day before Mother's Day. But like I said, if enough moms are mad about it, time to march on the Capitol!
        
        by cynmill on Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:06:08 AM PDT
        
        [ Parent ]
        
        Fishing in the Keys (0 / 0)
        
        There is a ladies tournament here in Marathon that day. Its actually the Mother's Day event.
        
        Needless to day we did not participate! LOL! Too busy packing the house and fishing while 7 1/2 months pregnant....nah!!!
        
        by Suzanne77 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:09:25 AM PDT
        
        [ Parent ]

Permalink | 12 comments

Julia Ward Howe, Take 3

by Erin

Fri May 09, 2008 at 11:24:22 AM PDT

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My nightmare (0 / 0)

It would be great (0 / 0)

Thank you. (0 / 0)

I was so excited (0 / 0)

Thanks for the reminder (0 / 0)

opening (0 / 0)

Yup (0 / 0)

Wow (0 / 0)

Maybe (0 / 0)

I hope (0 / 0)

It is crazy (0 / 0)

Fishing in the Keys (0 / 0)

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