EPISODE · May 11, 2026 · 59 MIN
Mother’s Day Was Never Meant to Be This…
from Rethinking Freedom · host Ayayi
Mother’s Day didn’t begin with flowers, cards, or brunch.It began with war, grief, organizing, and resistance.In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we uncover the true origins of Mother’s Day—from Ann Reeves Jarvis organizing mothers during the American Civil War, to Julia Ward Howe calling for mothers to unite against war, to Anna Jarvis fighting the commercialization of the very holiday she created.But we don’t stop there.This episode centers the global power of motherhood—from African traditions where Nneka means “Mother is greater”, to Indigenous systems where mothers held political authority, to modern-day movements led by mothers demanding justice for their children.We explore:👉 The radical history of Mother’s Day👉 How capitalism transformed a movement into a marketplace👉 The real cost of motherhood (economic, physical, emotional)👉 Black, Brown, Indigenous, and global mothers who turned grief into activism👉 A powerful “Support Mothers” action plan you can apply todayFeaturing insights connected to The Joys of Motherhood and the lived realities of mothers across generations.This is not just a celebration.This is a reckoning.✊🏾 FEATURED THEMES & FIGURESMamie Till-MobleyCoretta Scott KingBetty ShabazzMothers of the MovementMothers Against Drunk DrivingBlack Mamas Matter Alliance🔥 WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERSBecause mothers are celebrated one day a year…while the systems that burden them operate every day.And if mothers are not supported…are they truly free?📻 LISTEN + FOLLOW📅 Airs Mondays at 7 AM CST📡 KRGN 98.5 FM | KVBM 104.7 FM🎧 Available on all podcast platforms💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf this episode moved you:👉 LIKE👉 COMMENT👉 SHARE👉 SUBSCRIBELet’s rethink freedom—together.Support the show
What this episode covers
Mother’s Day didn’t begin with flowers, cards, or brunch. It began with war, grief, organizing, and resistance. In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we uncover the true origins of Mother’s Day—from Ann Reeves Jarvis organizing mothers during the American Civil War, to Julia Ward Howe calling for mothers to unite against war, to Anna Jarvis fighting the commercialization of the very holiday she created. But we don’t stop there. This episode centers the global power of motherhood...
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Mother’s Day Was Never Meant to Be This…
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