Mother’s Day origins

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mother’s Day was established 102 years ago in Grafton, W.Va., by Anna Jarvis.

After her mother died, Jarvis came up with the idea of a day to honor the memory of mothers living and dead. She was able to get it designated as a national holiday. As a part of the first observance in Grafton, 500 white carnations were passed out at the official church ceremony as a way paying homage to mothers.

Today the church in Grafton houses the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

-- Rosalind Bentley