It is hard to believe but the now-commercialized Mother's Day celebration has its humble beginnings in one mother's sincere hope of a memorial for all mothers, living and dead. That one mother was Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis whose filial daughter, Anna Marie Jarvis, saw to the attainment of her mother's wishes.

• One Mother's Hope for All Mothers
  Mrs. Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis ( 1832-1905) worked towards improving living and social conditions of her community by establishing the Mothers' Day Work Club. The Club educated people on health and hygiene practices, encouraged others to help both Union and Confederate soldiers, and treated, fed and clothed wounded soldiers who were stationed in the area.
• Passing On The Motherly Love
  This kind streak must have rubbed of onto Mrs. Ann Jarvis' daughter, Anna, for she organized a Mothers' Friendship Day at the courthouse in Pruntytown to bring together soldiers and neighbours of differing political beliefs. The event successfully promoted friendship and peace. Mothers' Friendship Day became an annual event for several years.
• Humble Beginnings of Mother's Day
  When Mrs. Jarvis died in 1905, Anna dedicated her life to establishing a nationally recognized Mother's Day. By the next year, Mother's Day was celebrated in the city of Philadelphia. It eventually became a national holiday (on the second Sunday of May of each year) in 1914.
• Commercializing of Mother's Day
  While Anna spent most of time striving to create a special day to honour mothers, she was disappointed with the way Mother's Day turned out in the end. As the popularity of the holiday grew, so did its commercialization. The day she intended as a day of sentiment had been exploited into a profit-driven day. Shortly before her death, Anna mentioned to a reporter that she was sorry she ever started Mother's Day.