Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate yourself, your mom, caregivers, and all of the women who shape your lives. Whether with flowers, heartfelt cards, or going out for brunch, we at Mothers Out Front wish you a joyful celebration! We believe this day is about more than appreciation. It’s also a powerful opportunity to remember the origins of this holiday: a bold call to collective action by women determined to build a better world.
A History of Peace and Justice
In 1870, abolitionist and women’s rights activist Julia Ward Howe issued a Mother’s Day Proclamation urging women to unite in promoting peace and international conflict. She believed that women (especially mothers) have a unique ability and power to improve society.
Her vision was shared by Ann Jarvis, who founded “Mothers Work Clubs” to improve sanitation and health in communities devastated by disease and war. After the Civil War, Jarvis changed her focus to promoting peace and restoring a sense of community to her deeply divided region. Her daughter, Anna Jarvis, carried on her mother’s legacy and successfully advocated for a national holiday honoring mothers, establishing the first Mother’s Day in 1914.
Our Members Carry the Legacy
The Legacy of the first Mother’s Day lives on in the mothers and caregivers of Mothers Out Front. Our members are not only raising families — they are raising their voices, organizing their communities, and demanding a just and livable climate for all children.
This Mother’s Day, we are proud to highlight a few moms who inspire us:
Marie-France Watson, Sugar Land, TX
Marie-France Watson and her family moved to Texas three years ago from the Seychelles Islands, where she grew up, her two sons were born, and is currently being threatened by rising sea levels. Growing up as a native islander, Marie-France was not introduced to the idea of sustainability. She says, “It was simply a way of life.” Picking mangoes straight from the tree, capturing rainwater in barrels, and feeling connected to their natural environment. That connection deepened when Marie-France became a mother. Watching her son, Theo, play in the ocean when he was three years old, imitating a starfish, she suddenly wondered what the world would be like for him as an adult. Would he enjoy moments like this with his own children?
Over time, that spark led Marie-France into conservation work, protecting her homeland’s coastal wetlands, and her current consulting work, raising awareness about plastic pollution’s impact on island economies an health.
When she came across Mothers Out Front, it felt like the perfect fit. In January, she hosted her first house party, and her fledgling team is interested in making their school greener by working on a Sustainable Schools Resilient Communities campaign.
Sonja Tengblad, East Boston, MA
Sonja Tengblad is a member of the Mothers Out Front East Boston chapter in Massachusetts. When Sonja’s son Soren was born, the weight of climate anxiety left her feeling hopeless and discouraged. However, she soon met other moms from Mothers Out Front, who inspired her to take action in her community. Sonja continues to be inspired by what her team has accomplished, including a climate-themed family opera and a Mother’s Day art build that brought together 200 families. Now, Sonja’s team is focused on improving air quality in schools by advocating for HEPA filters. The relationships she’s built with team members, legislators, and other stakeholders motivate her to continue working towards a healthier community and are proof that you can make a significant impact locally even during challenging times.
Laura Van Vertloo, Ames, IA
Laura Van Vertloo is from Ames, IA, and has a deep love for nature. After her twins were born, she began educating herself on her family’s environmental footprint and how to make lifestyle changes to reduce their impact. After the most recent elections, Laura decided to take her advocacy event further.
Last fall, Laura attended her first Mothers Out Front event. She went on to host her first house party in January. Laura considers herself shy and introverted, but she’s found encouragement and support through the Mothers Out Front network. She found that hosting the house party was empowering and feels excited to connect with more like-minded individuals in her central Iowa community. Laura is currently building a team and hoping to start a food waste diversion program in public schools.
Bobby Monacella, Senior Campaigner at MOF
Bobby Monacella began her climate journey because of her mother. Before her mom took to the streets or joined an organizing call, she marched and advocated for climate justice, modeling what it means to stand up for what you believe in. From a young age, Bobby’s mom taught her family that when something matters, you raise your voice.
Bobby said, “Advocacy wasn’t unusual or intimidating in our home—it was just what we did. When I became a mom and shared my fears about the climate crisis, she gently challenged me: “What are you doing about it?” She reminded me that action brings hope—and, as usual, she was right.”
Her example shaped Bobby and her children’s lives. Her oldest child took on leadership roles with the Sunrise Movement, and her youngest became a plaintiff in an Our Children’s Trust climate lawsuit. “Watching my mother’s ‘make good trouble’ spirit ripple through generations has been one of the loveliest and most powerful gifts of motherhood for me,” Bobby shared.
Carrying the Call Forward
From Julia Ward Howe’s call for peace to today’s grassroots climate campaigns, mothers have always been a force for change. We are just getting started!
Whether you’re stepping into your first organizing call or leading a local campaign, we’re honored that you’re part of Mothers Out Front. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the advocacy that started this holiday and the mothers and caregivers continuing to carry it forward.
Want to get involved?
Join our next welcome call or submit our contact form to learn more.
Want to honor a mother or caregiver in your life?
Consider making a donation to support our movement of unstoppable moms. Give by May 31 and your impact will be doubled, thanks to a $50,000 Mother’s Day matching challenge!