In 1905 Anna Jarvis began a campaign to memorialize the life work of her mother. Anna worked hard for many years to convince those around her to set aside a special day for honoring mothers. The House of Representatives in May, 1913, unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the President, his Cabinet, members of Congress, and all officials of the federal government to wear a white carnation on Mother's Day.

In 1914 Anna's hard work paid off when President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing the second sunday in May as Mother's Day and as a national holiday.

At first, people observed Mother's Day by attending church, writing letters to their mothers, and eventually, by sending cards, presents, and flowers.

With the increased commercial picture associated with Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis became very upset. In 1923 she filed a lawsuit to stop a Mother's Day festival.

Before her death in 1948, Anna Jarvis is said to have confessed that she regretted ever starting the mother's day tradition. What is even more ironic is that Anna Jarvis never got to appreciate Mother's Day, as she never was a Mother.