About Our Moms, Retailers And The Fraternal Order Of Eagles

Keep It Local, by Barbara Lawrence – May 3, 2012

A few years ago, while working on historic rehabilitation of the Gastonia Eagles Aerie (club) building, I ran across the history behind the beginning idea and group to initially support a National Mother's Day. It can take many years for an idea to become reality.  It is a really unusual organization that began on the West Coast, reached all the way to Gaston County and ultimately supported this initiative.

A Little Something You Didn't Know

The Fraternal Order of Eagles  had its beginning in 1898, founded by six theater owners in Seattle. A combination of arts and business (and they apparently had great social events), their numbers grew across the country. Several U.S. Presidents were members of the Eagles. The F.O.E. continues today.

One of the many issues they have championed was the creation of a national Mother's Day. Frank E. Hering, a president of the F.O.E., was introduced as "the Father of Mother's Day" at a 1925 Mother's Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Hering was a faculty member at Notre Dame 21 years earlier when the idea came to him.  

According to the New York Eagles history record, Hering visited a class, where he "found his colleague distributing penny postcards to the students." The professor provided the cards and students were apparently told to write "anything at all as long as it's to their mothers." At a speaking engagement on Feb. 7, 1904, Hering first publicly spoke of the need for "a national day of honor for Mothers."

Legislation was approved by the U.S. Congress and President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, and May 10, 1914, became the first official Mother's Day.  

As the Order of Eagles grew to 600,000 members, the organization's rallying cry was "For Mother and Home." (Today the F.O.E. has more than 850,000 members and the motto, "People Helping People." The F.O.E. raises money for several causes including a cure for diabetes.)

Retailers have loved Mother's Day

Whether appreciated, or not, Mothers charge ahead every day doing whatever it takes to get things done!  Over the years, like so many other holidays, those that remember the date best are retailers.  Does anyone remember hosiery? 

This old newspaper ad is scanned from Mount Holly News, May 5, 1950, and reproduced in the Mount Holly News "1950s in Review" collection reprinted May 1970.

Say thanks to Mom - any time!

Mother's Day is recognized as the second Sunday in May – May 13 this year. Buying something special in honor of Mom is always nice. Sending a personal message on a card via the good ol' US Post Office is still a great way any time of year to show our mothers we appreciate them. 

You are probably a busy person. Your Mom is thinking about you every day while also going about the many things she has to do. Mothers can change the world, and often do!  Happy Mother's Day!

About Barbara Lawrence – Barbara has a background in economic development and real-estate research. Her work has included revitalization of downtown Boone, downtown Gastonia and now Mount Holly.