The exact words
“Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of tears!”Julia Ward Howe, “Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World” (1870)
✓ VerifiedFound in a primary source: the original book, speech transcript, letter or recording.
What people get wrong
Common reading
Howe founded the Mother's Day of cards and flowers.
Howe founded the Mother's Day of cards and flowers.
Closer to the original
Howe's day was a call to political action for peace. The modern holiday was created later by Anna Jarvis, who was reportedly inspired partly by her own mother's peace work.
Howe's day was a call to political action for peace. The modern holiday was created later by Anna Jarvis, who was reportedly inspired partly by her own mother's peace work.
Timeline
- 1861–1865The American Civil War kills hundreds of thousands. Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” is shaken by the losses.
- 1870As the Franco-Prussian War breaks out in Europe, Howe writes her appeal urging women of all nations to meet and work for peace.
- 1872She proposes a “Mothers' Day for Peace” on June 2 each year. It is celebrated in some places for a while but fades.
- 1908–1914Anna Jarvis campaigns for a Mother's Day honoring mothers, and in 1914 it becomes a U.S. national holiday on the second Sunday in May.
Use it in a speech
The first person to call for a Mother's Day, Julia Ward Howe, wanted mothers to arise and change the world. Mom, you did that for us, one school run at a time.
~10 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “change the world”
Best spotthe card or the brunch toast
Julia Ward Howe's “Arise, then, women of this day!” reminds us that Mother's Day began not as a celebration of mothers but as a summons to them.
~8 secondsto say aloud
Pausenone needed in writing
Best spotopening sentence
Questions people ask
What is the Mother's Day Proclamation?
An 1870 appeal by Julia Ward Howe asking women of all nations to unite for peace after the Civil War and as the Franco-Prussian War began.
Did Julia Ward Howe start Mother's Day?
She proposed a Mothers' Day for Peace in 1872, but the modern holiday was established by Anna Jarvis and became official in the United States in 1914.
Cite this quote
These cite the original source directly, so you can use them in an essay or paper. Always check your teacher's required style.
MLAHowe, Julia Ward. ““Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World,” later called the Mother's Day Proclamation.” 1870. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_Proclamation.
APAHowe, J. W. (1870). “Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World,” later called the Mother's Day Proclamation [Speech]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_Proclamation
CHICAGOJulia Ward Howe, ““Appeal to Womanhood Throughout the World,” later called the Mother's Day Proclamation,” 1870.
IN TEXT (APA)(Howe, 1870)