This Sunday, families around Australia will celebrate Mother’s Day. Whether it be a lunch at home or a day on the town, Mother’s Day is a day to pamper that special Mum. It’s a day of celebrating and uplifting all the mothers in our lives. But did you know it wasn’t originally about spoiling your mum?
Originating in the United States, Mother’s Day was popularised in Australia by Janet Heyden, who began the tradition of giving gifts to mothers in the 1920s. In the aftermath of World War 1. She was serving on the committee of the Home for Destitute Women and Children in Strathfield at the time, and saw the plight of many lonely, aged and frail women, many who were mothers.
“That’s when I realised I needed to do something to make the lonely lives of the women there a little brighter,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald in 1954, “I organised gifts for them on Mother’s Day.”
Hayden started a campaign, reaching out to many of Sydney’s leading business, to donate goods. She personally distributed many of these over a seven year period so that hundreds of mothers would not be forgotten.
This Mother’s Day consider following in Ms Heyden’s footsteps by giving back to mothers in the community. Not everyone has someone on Mother’s Day – so celebrate and be present not just with your own mother, but with those who may have lost a parent or child, as well as those who may be struggling.
In addition to the roses and morning teas, you could also donate some much-needed supplies or funds to your local Women’s Shelter to support single mums escaping domestic and family violence. Or you could thank those foster mothers doing some truly incredible work by checking in with them and donating a small amount of your time.
And of course, check out some of the events that are happening in your local area, or visit a local cafe or restaurant to spoil Mum rotten this Mother’s Day.
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