May 2009

May is the month we celebrate mothers! One of the mothers I admire is Mother Jones who during her lifetime was known to working folk as “The Miners’ Angel.” Persevering in her efforts despite the many tragic events she witnessed, her fierce determination was vividly expressed in her famous declaration, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.” When she was denounced on the Senate floor as the “grandmother of all agitators,” she replied in typical fashion, “I hope to live long enough to be the great-grandmother of all agitators.”

Mother Theresa was a woman who loved deeply and cared for the most indigenous people on the planet. She comforted the sick and dying and could not understand why there was no help for the poor. She made some incredible quotes; “Love is doing small things with great love.” Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.” “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” This was a woman who truly loved and sacrificed herself to the ravages of poverty and made a difference.

In honoring her mother, Anna Jarvis, the “mother” of Mother’s Day, knew that she was honoring all women who have contributed to humanity in general and not just to a specific child. Anna Jarvis herself remained unmarried and childless. Yet, she did much to see that those who care for their children, for their families, and for us all as the human family, are honored. There are all kinds of mothers. Here’s a quick look at a variety of noteworthy mothers:

Indira Gandhi, mother, first woman Prime Minister of India. Margaret Thatcher, mother, first Prime Minister of Britain. Rosa Parks, “Mother of Montgomery” who launched the civil rights movement. Sandra Day O’Connor, mother, first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, mother Supreme Court Justice and Victoria Woodhull, mother, first woman to run for American President. Emma Willard, mother, pioneer in education that campaigned for higher education for women in math, science, and social studies. Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross and “mother” to thousands of wounded soldiers. “Mother” (Clara McBride) Hale mother, started Hale House in Harlem to care for infants born to drug-addicted mothers.

Candy Lightner, after a drunk driver killed her 13-year-old daughter, founded MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Grandma Moses, mother and grandmother, and a famous painter who started painting in her 70s. Michele Obama, mother and the first African-American First Lady.

During the month of May I remember my mother who passed away a few years ago at the age of 95. Being born gay into an Italian family with three brothers in the 50’s was not an ideal situation for me. I left at the age of 18 and would visit maybe every two years or not at all. I would have loved to be close to my mother for the love and comfort only a mother can give to a child. We grow up and hopefully mature and create our own families. I do believe we are all mothers, fathers and brothers and sisters of the human family. So, on this very special day don’t forget to call your Mother.

In Sisterhood,
Melinda Tremaglio
President, PSNOW

PO Box 1219-ps 92263, Palm Springs, CA 92263  Phone:(760) 333-8304  Email: mail@psnow.org