Mama's Day 2013

Mother's Day was originally founded as an antiwar rallying cry by Unitarian Julia Ward Howe. This history reminds us that Mother’s Day is more than a day for flowers and pancakes. It's a time to highlight the aspects of motherhood that are not usually visible in the greeting card aisles. It’s a call to honor the resiliency of all those who mother, especially those who bear the brunt of hurtful policies or who are weighed down by stigma in our culture. It’s opportunity to take action to create the conditions so that all families can thrive.

Strong Families is a national initiative to change policy and culture in support of all families. Their annual Mama’s Day Our Way campaign lifts up and celebrates the magic and heartbreak of being a mama. Across the country, individuals and organizations participate through on-line actions, story-telling, and local events which explore the myriad of ways in which mothering builds strong families and communities. Through an original line of beautiful e-cards; a blog series sharing the hopes, dreams, and needs of mamas; and opportunities to take action on critical policy issues—Mama’s Day Our Way is a rallying cry for justice.

With the Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA’s) new commitment to reproductive justice, we look forward to taking this opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate, and advocate for all people who mother. As the first religious denomination to join the Strong Families initiative, the UUA is creating the foundation of religious materials and presence for the coalition members and the event.

Not sure where the local UU congregation is? Not sure you want to go to “church”? Be sure to mark your calendar for an online worship-ful celebration of Mama’s Day, hosted by the Church of the Larger Fellowship on May 12. Stay tuned to this page for details.

Mama’s Day is Sunday, May 12, 2013.

We hope you will take full advantage of Mama’s Day and the materials below to celebrate the mamas in your life!

Resources for Mama’s Day worship services on themes of multiculturalism, motherhood, justice, and community:

• Blog post: 'Mother's Day for the rest of us'
• Readings (PDF, 2 pages)
• Other recommended readings:
  • Maya Angelou,'Voices of Respect', from Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now (Random House)
• Poems and Mediations (PDF, 6 pages)
• Other recommended poems and meditations:
  • Julia de Burgos, 'Poem to the Child Who Doesn’t Arrive/Poema al hijo que no llega', from Song of the Simple Truth (Curbstone Press)
  • Julia de Burgos, 'Poem of the Unborn Child/Poema del hijo no nacido', from Song of the Simple Truth (Curbstone Press)
  • 'Song for Bringing a Child into the World' from Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Publications)
  • Jalal ad-Din Rumi, 'Give Yourself Up Without Regret'
  • Joseph Dandurand, 'Yer Kid'
• Congregational/Thematic Approaches to Reproductive Justice
• Mama's Day Sermon Ideas & Queries

Resources for advocating for immigrant mamas and their families, because love knows no borders.

• Resources from Standing on the Side of Love on Compassionate Immigration Reform
• Sample Letter to the Editor (PDF)

By May 2, this webpage will also link to:

• E-cards for you to send to the mamas in your life, featuring inspiring messages and beautiful, originally-commissioned artwork by artists of color
  • See some of the e-cards from Mama’s Day 2012
  • A stirring series of blog posts by women of color, celebrating the magic and heartbreak of being a mama. See some of last years’ blog posts:
    • It was just the two of us: Raising my son as a single mom by Maria Tucker
    • Motherhood: An Exercise in Fear Management by Aimee Santos Lyons
    • A Mother’s Moment of Clarity by Beata Tsosie-Pena
  • Other resources for sending letters to the editor of your local newspaper (and other ways of talking to the media) about comprehensive immigration reform and how it affects mamas and families, being a fierce mama in your community, and other topics.