WASHINGTON – With Mother's Day right around the corner, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today introduced legislation that would authorize the minting of a commemorative Mother’s Day coin in honor of the West Virginia woman who is credited with starting the national holiday.

The modern day celebration of Mother’s Day can be traced back to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, a long-time resident of Taylor County in West Virginia.  Following the death of her mother in 1905, Jarvis began a long and eventually successful campaign to establish a national Mother’s Day in the United States.

Capito’s legislation would authorize the minting of a commemorative coin in 2014 to honor Mother’s Day and the efforts of Anna Jarvis on the 100th anniversary of the national recognition of the holiday. 

“Mother’s Day is special to mothers and their children across the country, but those of us in West Virginia have extra reason to find this important day special,” said Rep. Capito.  “Through the work and dedication of one of West Virginia’s daughters, mothers across the country now have their own special day each year to be honored.” 

Jarvis was determined to do something to show her love and appreciation for her recently deceased mother, and was instrumental in seeing that the first official Mother’s Day service was held at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia on May 10, 1908.  Two years later, West Virginia Governor William Glasscock issued the first Mother’s Day Proclamation encouraging everyone in the state to attend church and wear white carnations in honor of their mothers.

Building on that success, Anna Jarvis continued advocating for a national Mother’s Day, and in 1914 it paid off.  On May 8, the U.S. Congress approved a resolution that designated the second Sunday in May to be observed as Mother’s Day.  President Wilson signed a similar proclamation the following day.

Capito added, “My legislation will help the nation continue to honor not only its mothers, but the special West Virginia woman that has made this lasting holiday possible.” 

Congress has the authority to authorize two commemorative coins each year to celebrate and honor American history and culture, with part of the proceeds raised from these collectors items being used to fund important causes.  Under Capito’s legislation, part of the proceeds of the sale of the Mother’s Day coin would benefit the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, an organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness and treatment.   

Capito’s legislation follows a resolution passed earlier this year by the West Virginia legislature that requested the U.S. Congress enact legislation authorizing the minting of a Mother’s Day commemorative coin. 

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