Heather Cox Richardson\u2019s comments this morning in her \u201cLetters from an American\u201d compel me to say a few words about women. It\u2019s risky, I know, but some truths stand out. Richardson makes the point that \u201cMother\u2019s Day\u201d was originally popularized by Julia Ward Howe in the 1870s as a way to empower women. Howe, apparently, mortified at the carnage brought on by the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War believed that women would make better leaders than men and might prevent such atrocities in the future.<\/p>\n
For me, Mother\u2019s Day, like most men, I believe, is a positive commemoration because we all loved our mothers. The truth is that our mothers paid more attention to us than our fathers and did so with unconditional love even as we grew into middle age. Father\u2019s Day pales in comparison, not because our dad\u2019s weren\u2019t important, but because our mothers were so much more important.<\/p>\n
Richardson\u2019s point about Howe\u2019s effort to empower women should be taken seriously. It is the logical step from loving our mothers who embodied common sense, hard work, good judgment and genuine empathy, all qualities that too often seem in short supply with our present leadership.<\/p>\n
It is not my intent to kowtow to women or denigrate men, but simply say what we all know: our mothers kept things running, educated us and frequently provided moral guidance. They always did the right thing. Perhaps, we need more people like our mothers in charge.<\/p>\n
Happy Mother\u2019s Day!<\/p>\n