Written by Julia Ward Howe in 1870 as a pacifist reaction to the Civil War.
The proclamation was tied to the feminist belief that women had a responsibility to shape their societies at a political level.
Mother's Day Proclamation
Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.
"Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God. In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Now THIS is the kind of Mother's Day wishes I believe in. Mother Earth cries out, yes! Everything cries out against it. Why don't they listen?
Did you hear about the African tribal women who refused to have sex with their husbands until they stopped fighting another tribe? It worked! The fighting stopped.
Women have so much power. And through the centuries, much of what we have suffered has been because we have allowed it.
Loved this, Anet. Thank you. You made my Mother's Day more meaningful. A purpose in my heart as a mother, pleading for peace.
The African Tribal Women are pretty smart! lol. You're right Ruth, women do have much power! We need to remember this and use it.
I am glad this moved you Ruth. I researched the beginning of Mothers Day and it originally was women's movement for peace. It's quite fascinating. Honoring Mothers, what a great concept! Happy Mothers Day!!
Thanks Anet! Mother's Day celebrated superficially as a day of forced gratitude has never touched me, but as a woman's movement for peace, well that's something worth celebrating..... Thank YOU!
You're welcome Sharon.
May peace be yours on Mothers Day!
Post a Comment