Mother's Day: How Anna Jarvis started a movement 115 years ago, inspired by her mom

The first-ever Mother’s Day memorial service was held at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West VirginiaIt was organized by Anna Maria Jarvis in memory of her deceased mother Ann Reeves Jarvis, who had wished for a tribute day for all mothersAnna campaigned hard to make Mother’s Day a national holiday in the USBut she lashed out when the day began to be used to serve vested interests Some soiled its spirit of reverence in the name of charity, yet others garnered political mileage out of Mother’s Day She became penniless filing litigations against misuse of the day and fought till her death against those wanting to commercialize the concept Even now, Mother’s Day is quite a phenomenon across the world, with a gifting industry and an entire marketing strategy revolving around it“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus….