Kenyans take to social media to honour mothers
First Lady Melania Trump hosts a Mother's Day event for military spouses in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, May 12, 2017. PHOTO | SAUL LOEB | AFP
What you need to know:
- Ironically, the founder of Mother’s Day— Ann Jarvis—was not a mother herself.
- Kenyans on Saunday flocked social media pages to honour and celebrate their mothers.
Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.
It is usually celebrated in more than 40 countries globally. Ironically, the founder of Mother’s Day— Ann Jarvis—was not a mother herself.
A dedicated community organiser and philanthropist, she created the holiday to honour her late mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis.
Just like in 1908 when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, US, Kenyans on Saunday flocked social media pages to honour and celebrate their mothers.
Using the #MothersDay, Kenyans on social media wrote messages of love and gratefulness to their mothers.
PERFECT HEALTH
“On Mother’s Day I ask God to grant mama good and perfect health (sic).
The things we do together sometimes! Hah! #LitteThingsCount #TheJoysOfLife.
I thank God for her. Happy Mother’s Day mum and to you all lovely and strong mothers out there.
May you never lack,” wrote Caroline Wafula, Nation’s Nakuru Bureau chief.
In 1872, nearly 45 years before it became an official holiday, American feminist Julia Ward Howe called for a Mother’s Day dedicated to peace in honour of mothers who lost their sons and husbands during the US. Civil War.
IMPROVE HEALTH CONDITIONS
But first things first. Make sure you get the apostrophe right: It is Mother’s Day. As in, a single mother. And that singular mother would be Anna Jarvis’ mom.
According to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Ann Jarvis “founded Mothers’ Day Work Clubs in five cities in West Virginia to improve sanitary and health conditions.”
A mariachi band plays as part of Mother's Day celebrations at the Mexico-US border in Playas de Tijuana in northwestern Mexico, on May 13, 2017. PHOTO | GUILLERMO ARIAS | AFP
The clubs hired women to help families with sick mothers and created programmes that tested the quality of milk. During the Civil War, Ann’s clubs provided aid to injured soldiers.
In 1912 Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases “Second Sunday in May” and “Mother’s Day”, and created the Mother’s Day International Association.
She specifically noted that “Mother’s” should “be a singular possessive, for each family to honor its own mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.”
WONDERFUL MOMS
Eric Ochomo, a researcher at KEMRI wrote: “Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in my life. Every day I am reminded how blessed I am to have 3 wonderful moms… I celebrate Mercy, for being an amazing mom to my daughter Erica. I am a grateful man. Thank you mothers.”
While Lone Felix, an executive assistant at the Agricultural Finance Corporation through his Facebook account posted: “Mama. I have been strong on my feet.
Because you have been persistent on your knees. I hope to be half the person you are. And a son you can be proud of, because I am immensely grateful to have been born to you! Happy Mother’s day!”
PRAISED MOTHER
It is presumably on this note that Vilot Otindo, a communication director praised her mother by writing: “Showing off is a way of appreciation! Dear Mama Andoyo!
Your smile brightens each day just as the morning rays shines on the hills and it’s with no doubt that this gives us the courage to face the new day with joy.
A mom like you I could never replace. Your actions and words are full of such grace. You’re truly a treasure, so I’m writing to say. I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day! I love you, Mom!”
