by Jeanne Gehret
by Jeanne Gehret
Mother’s Day: Planting the Future
Mother’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate the women who shape lives every day—whether through family, work, or community. It’s also a good reminder that in the middle of caring for others, it’s just as important to keep hold of your own dreams.
Different ways to nurture
Annie Osborn Anthony knew something about that balance. She raised five children while standing beside her husband, Daniel Read Anthony, as he fought for abolition and women’s rights. One of their sons, Daniel Read Anthony Jr., went on to help introduce the Equal Rights Amendment into Congress—a powerful extension of Annie’s quiet legacy. (I see I haven’t written about him yet! Will remedy that soon.)
Meanwhile, her sister-in-law, Susan B. Anthony, took a very different path. Susan never married or had children, yet few women have done more to change the course of history.
Both women made their mark in different ways, reminding us there’s no single “right” way to build a meaningful life.
Postcards, Punchlines, and the Power of Mom
Speaking of Susan B. Anthony . . . her successors in the National American Woman Suffrage Association knew how to keep things moving—and make people smile while doing it. Their secret weapon? A cheeky postcard campaign that proved humor could win hearts and votes.
Used with permission from Vintage Tweets: Suffrage Era Postcards, by Carol Crossed, available here.
This Mother’s Day, we honor not just those who nurture others, but also those who keep alive the dreams, talents, and passions that make a life truly wild and precious.
Wishing you a day filled with pride in all you are—and all you are becoming.
A Mother’s Day gift for you:
Here are some fun collections of stories, including my Urgent Plea of Susan B. and Songbird in the Marsh. Enjoy!
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