Anna Jarvis

Anna Jarvis was an American woman best known for establishing Mother’s Day as a recognized holiday. In the early 20th century, she wanted to honor mothers and promote family values, organizing the first Mother’s Day celebrations in 1908. Her efforts led to the holiday’s official recognition by the U.S. government in 1914. Despite her success, she later became frustrated by commercialization and the widespread dilution of the holiday’s original meaning, advocating for a more genuine observance focused on personal gratitude. Anna Jarvis’s work helped create a day dedicated to honoring mothers and maternal figures across the United States.