Honoring Her: The Real Story Behind Mother's Day

As women, we carry so much. We’re the nurturers, the glue that holds families together, the quiet strength behind every milestone, celebration, and healing. So when Mother’s Day comes around, I often pause and think—not just about the cards and flowers, but about the deep, rich story behind this day that honors the sacred role of motherhood.

We all know the modern version—brunch, gifts, sometimes a handmade card that tugs at your heart—but the real history of Mother’s Day? It's a lot more complex and beautiful than most people realize. So let’s take a moment to explore it together.

The Ancient Roots: Motherhood as Sacred

Before we ever had a national holiday, many cultures around the world held ceremonies to honor mothers, fertility, and the life-giving power of women. In ancient Greece, for example, people celebrated Rhea, the mother of the gods, with offerings and festivals. The Romans held a celebration called Hilaria, dedicated to Cybele, another maternal goddess. Even in early Christianity, a day known as Mothering Sunday became a tradition in parts of Europe, celebrated during Lent and focused on returning to one’s “mother church” with family.

These celebrations didn’t just recognize biological mothers—they uplifted the spirit of motherhood itself. The nurturer. The protector. The life-giver. The woman who loves with her whole being.

And honestly? That’s something I think we need to return to—a celebration of motherhood in all its forms. Whether you’ve given birth, raised stepchildren, nurtured your community, or been a source of unconditional love to someone, you are embodying that ancient, powerful essence.

The American Beginning: The Heartbreak Behind the Holiday

Fast forward to the United States in the 19th century, and the story takes a powerful and emotional turn. Ann Reeves Jarvis, a West Virginia woman and social activist, is often credited as one of the early inspirations behind Mother’s Day. She organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” in the 1850s—groups of women who came together to improve sanitary conditions, lower infant mortality rates, and support mothers in need. These weren’t just tea parties. These women were doing the hard, thankless work of saving lives.

During the Civil War, Ann Jarvis kept those clubs neutral, offering care to soldiers from both sides. After the war, she organized a Mother’s Friendship Day—a brave and healing attempt to bring families torn apart by the war back together. For her, motherhood was about unity, compassion, and healing—something we still desperately need today.

When Ann Jarvis passed away, her daughter Anna Jarvis picked up the torch. But her vision for Mother’s Day wasn’t commercial—it was deeply personal. She wanted a day where people could honor the sacrifices mothers made for their children. In 1908, Anna held the first official Mother’s Day ceremony at a church in Grafton, West Virginia. It was small, heartfelt, and full of white carnations—her mother’s favorite flower.

Thanks to Anna’s tireless campaigning, Mother’s Day was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation dedicating the second Sunday in May to mothers.

A Shift Toward Commercialism—And One Woman’s Regret

You’d think that would be a happy ending, right? But Anna Jarvis actually spent the rest of her life fighting against what Mother’s Day became. She was heartbroken that the day she created to honor deep emotional sacrifice had turned into a goldmine for florists, card companies, and candy makers.

In one of the most ironic twists of holiday history, Anna Jarvis—who had no children of her own—was even arrested for disturbing the peace at a Mother’s Day event because she protested its commercialization. She felt that we were missing the point—that motherhood was being boiled down to an impersonal gesture instead of the soul-deep recognition it deserved.

As someone who works with women in some of their most vulnerable, empowered, and radiant states, I feel that. I’ve seen women carry unspeakable loads with grace and grit. I’ve also seen them break—and rebuild. I know firsthand that a mother’s love is so much more than a greeting card.

Reclaiming the Heart of Mother’s Day

So how do we honor Mother's Day today in a way that feels real?

We start by remembering that it’s not just about a single brunch or bouquet. It’s about the legacy of women who have shown up, time and again, in ways that often go unseen. It’s about remembering the moms who held their babies through sleepless nights, the grandmothers who gave sage advice, the aunts, the sisters, the mentors, and the bonus moms who made us feel safe when the world felt anything but.

It’s about acknowledging the messy, imperfect, beautiful journey of motherhood—because it’s not always joyful. It’s often exhausting, heartbreaking, and lonely. And yet, women continue to rise. Every single day.

In my own life and work, I’ve had the honor of capturing mothers of all kinds—new moms, empty nesters, mothers who’ve lost children, and women who mother in spirit. When these women step in front of the camera, sometimes for the first time in decades, they often whisper things like “I don’t feel beautiful anymore” or “I’ve lost myself.” And then something incredible happens—we bring her back. Not just the image, but the essence. The woman she was before the world told her she had to be everything to everyone.

That’s what Mother’s Day should be about. Not just celebrating what she does—but who she is.

A New Tradition

This year, go beyond the expected. Send the flowers and write the card—but also truly see the women in your life. Ask your mother about her dreams, listen to your grandmother’s stories, and uplift the new mom in your life who needs encouragement. And if you are a mother in any form, take time to celebrate yourself—book the shoot, wear the dress, speak kindly to your reflection. You deserve to be seen, celebrated, and honored every single day.

Celebrating Strength, Love & Legacy: A Mother’s Day Photoshoot Experience encourages honoring the women who have shaped our lives through a meaningful gift—a professional photoshoot that captures their beauty, strength, and legacy. More than flowers or cards, this experience freezes heartfelt moments in time, whether through solo portraits, mommy-and-me sessions, multi-generational images, or candid family moments. Each photo becomes a piece of her story—cherished now and passed down for generations.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman who has ever mothered with her hands, her heart, or her presence. You are sacred. You are seen. You are deeply loved.