Mothers Day was established in response to a Proclamation written by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. She called upon women to say firmly: We will not have great questions answered by irrelevant agencies; our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy, and patience.

She continues: From the bosom of a devastated Earth, a voice goes up. It says: Disarm! Disarm! She concludes that the sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.

Finally, she places the responsibility for ending war squarely on the shoulders of the women of the world. Let women bewail and commemorate the dead and take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace. In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress may be appointed to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, and the great and general interests of peace.

That "general congress" has been self-appointed; they are called CodePINK, and CodePINK, on behalf of everyone who has a Mother, says ENOUGH! BASTA! CodePINK asks: What are you willing to do this Mothers Day to answer Julia Ward Howe's call and bring an end to war? How about joining a mass movement of women heading for Congress and refusing to leave - for a week, for two weeks, for a month - however long it takes for Congress to vote NO MORE WAR! The action starts at 4:00p.m. on May 13th with a 24-hour Mothers Day vigil at the White House. During the month that follows, there will be demonstrations, nonviolent civil disobedience, spiritual observances, presentations, tabling, training, lobbying, drumming, chanting, singing, grieving, visuals, and any other action or medium you care to present or in which you care to participate.

For 3 years now, CodePINK has returned to the origins of Mothers Day as a call for women to rise up and work for peace. This Mothers Day, CodePINK will surround Congress and not let them rest until they vote NO MORE WAR! Bring your HOT PINK broom to sweep Congress clean of warmongers AND their supporters. It is TIME! The time is ALWAYS right to do what is RIGHT. - MLK, Jr.

If you are interested in being part of this hers-toric movement, please go to the Women Say Enough website and sign up!