By Khyria Cepe

Who would have thought that someone who grew up surrounded by drugs and violence could someday be nominated as the United States’ first Latina Supreme Court Justice?

Sonia Sotomayor has gone from the South Bronx housing project where she grew up to the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court. Everyone is struck with awe and pride at what she has now achieved. President Barrack Obama, whose confidence in her capabilities won her the nomination, isn’t the only person to help her get where she is now. Sonia’s mother, Celina Sotomayor, dedicated her life to her children. She ensured that Sonia and her brother Juan received the best education and upbringing she could provide.  Juan became a doctor in Syracuse and Sonia became a successful lawyer.

In a heartfelt acknowledgement of her mother’s sacrifices for her, Sonia Sotomayor was quoted as saying, “I have often said that I am all that I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is.”[1]

Celina Sotomayor never had an easy life for herself. After her mother’s death, Celina’s father left the family, leaving her an orphan at nine years old. Even at such a young age, Celina understood the value of education, and she strived to gain as much knowledge as she could. At 17, she became a member of the Women’s Army Corps of the U.S. Army, where she trained to become a telephone operator in Georgia.  Her hardships did not end there. She eventually married but had to handle the death of her husband. Alone, she juggled two jobs to support her two young kids. Her belief in the promise of good education drove her to work hard to send her children to a Catholic school.

Now at age 82, Celina has reaped the fruits of all the hard work and sacrifice that she went through on her own to raise her children. With a daughter in the U.S. Supreme Court and a son who is a doctor, one can truly say that Celina was an exemplary mother that should serve as an inspiration to many others.

By Khyria Cepe

Romania celebrates Mother’s Day on March 8th, which coincides with the International Women’s Day. Honoring women, especially mothers and grandmother, has been made especially important in Romania by the fact that a draft law based on citizen-initiative has been submitted in 2008. Just like the rest of the world, events that recognize and empower exemplary women in the country are held throughout the country. On March 8th, mothers in Romania, are greeted a “Happy Mother’s Day!” or “Ziua mamei!” with a kiss and are given presents of flowers, jewelry or chocolates. Most of them are treated to dinners and concerts by their husbands and children.

Traditionally, however, Mother’s Day is associated with the Mărţişor (or little March), a celebration of spring, celebrated on the first of March, symbolized by a red and a white woolen thread braided into a trinket. Women, young and old, receive a Mărţişor charm on this day, also referred to as “martisor.” They pin the charm to their collar for nine days. One of the many meanings of the Mărţişor  equates mothers with light and love. Traditionally, the life-givers of the family braid the threads of the Mărţişor.  This celebration is also related to the old Dochia, who is a goddess of farming in Romanian folklore. The old Dochia is reminiscent of the great mother goddesses of the Greeks and Romans for whom the ancient mother’s day celebrations were held. She is a deity symbolizing fertility, and her rebirth (spring) after death (winter) is much awaited.

One could probably say that the first week of March, the start of spring, is dedicated to women in Romania. From the Martisor day, the commemoration of the old Dochia, and the celebration of International Women’s Day, women are the central figure in these festivities. The week is filled with a unique blend of traditional celebrations to a modern occasion with a political flavor that reminds everyone of the role of a woman in the society.

“Ziua mamei!” 

By Khyria Cepe

Mongolia is set apart from the rest of the world when it comes to Mother’s Day celebrations, as it celebrated on two occasions throughout the year:  as an official holiday on March 8th as the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) and on June 1st during the Mother’s and Children’s Day. Though the IWD celebration started out as a political event aimed to empower women all over the world, this event has become an occasion similar to Valentines’ Day and the usual Mother’s Day celebrated in the United States.

Women, especially mothers and grandmothers, are the focus on both events. They are honored with presents such as flowers, jewelry, and chocolates. Special events for women are also scheduled. During International Women’s Day, also called “Emegteichuudiin Bayar” in Mongolian, conferences and concerts are held to acclaim the contributions of extraordinary women in the community. Exemplary women are recognized with medals or awards; this practice dates back to the Socialist era, when mothers were acknowledged by the government for raising many children.

Traditionally, however, Mother’s Day  has been combined with Children’s Day, an event for mothers and their children to bond, making it truly a family affair. For example, in Ulaanbaata , fun activities such as circus performances, carnivals, competitions, and fairs are held in places such as the Sukhbaatar Square, the Children’s Park, Zaisan Hill and Buddha Garden, and the Tuul River beach. The well-organized festivities are highly anticipated by tourists and locals alike. Even Mongolian mothers and children living in the United States, miles away from home, do not forget this event. Every year, festivals are organized so that Mongolian children will not forget this part of their heritage.

Having a two-part celebration every year clearly shows that the people of Mongolia highly regard their mothers. This is also reflected in their music and literature, where they laud  mothers for their role in taking care of children, the elderly, and the sick.

By Khyria Cepe

It is said that the celebration of Mother’s Day started out centuries ago in ancient Greece. Mother’s Day was held in spring in honor of Rhea, the mother of gods. However, in modern times, the Greeks celebrate Mother’s Day in honor of the Holy Theotokos, Mary, the Mother of all mothers.

Greece is predominantly Christian Orthodox, with 97% of its population worshipping at the Orthodox Church. For the Greeks, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple every second of February. This feast commemorates how Mary, with her husband Joseph, presented Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem.

The presentation of children is still a popular practice in Greece until today. The commemoration honors Greek mothers for their dedication and sacrifice in ensuring the safety and well-being of their children. In Greece, this celebration is not only for mothers who gave birth, but it is for all women who act as mothers, such as aunties and sisters, who are devoted in taking care of children.

The Greeks still celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May just like much of the rest of the world. Husbands and children still give mothers presents such as flowers and candy, and they are treated to special events such as concerts and dinners. Just like the rest of the world, Greece has caught on the commercialized celebration of honoring their mothers. However, they have not allowed themselves to be completely trapped in the modern celebration that sometimes becomes devoid of true meaning in feeling. Instead, they pay tribute to the patron of all mothers, Mother Mary.

Ημέρα της Μητέρας

By Khyria Cepe

Every year on the second Sunday of May, the world celebrates Mother’s Day with flowers and presents. However, the Chinese have decided to rise above the usual commercialized celebration by holding a festival deeply rooted in tradition and good values. In 2007, Chinese scholar Li Hanqiu spearheaded the move for China’s very own Mother’s Day Festival.

Combining Chinese customs with traditional values such as love and respect for parents and the elderly, Li Hanqiu has encouraged his countrymen to celebrate this otherwise Western holiday as a way to promote and revive family loyalty. Along with members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Li Hanqiu proposed that they celebrate the Chinese Mother’s Day Festival on the second Sunday of the fourth lunar month to coincide with the birth of Confucian philosopher Mencius, whose mother is considered as the epitome of maternal devotion and love.

Dedicating the occasion to Mencius’ mother, a legendary woman who is seen as a role model for mothers, separates the occasion from the commercialism that is associated with this event and gives it a cultural impact. He also proposed that lilies be given out to mothers instead of the more modern choice of carnations, to commemorate the old practice of mothers planting lilies as a sign of sorrow when their children left their home.

Undeniably though, this celebration is still likely to be celebrated as much of the world by giving mothers presents such as jewelry and chocolate or holding special events for women.

However, as the Chinese say “mu qin jié” (Happy Mother’s Day), Li Hanqiu seizes this event as the perfect opportunity to encourage Chinese youth to remember, uphold, and strengthen age-old customs, such as honor and respect for mothers and devotion to family…which may be sometimes forgotten as the Chinese keep up with the rest of the world.

母親節快) Mǔqīnjié kuàilè – Happy Mother’s Day Festival! “mu qin jié”

By Khyria Cepe

Despite recognizing the father as the head of the family, Filipinos undeniably regard their mothers as the binding force in their families. Aptly given the title of “ilaw ng tahanan” or “light of the family”, Filipino mothers are placed on pedestals. Their advice is heeded, and their approval is seeked. Even the men of the family, husbands and male children, know better than to incur the ire of their mothers. In a modern and patriarchal society, Pinoy mothers are definitely deemed as equals to men.

That is why during Mother’s Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of May in the Philippines, mothers are placed in the spotlight. The timing is just right for Filipinos since Sunday is considered as family day. Sunday is always the perfect time to gather the entire, oftentimes extended, family for a celebration. The celebration usually starts with the entire family going to church together in the morning, a weekly practice observed by this predominantly Catholic country.

After a morning of prayers and thanksgiving dedicated to mother, or nanay, the family usually heads for a special lunch. For families in the city, restaurants all over the country have special menus prepared for the day. For families who’d like to stay at home, a special meal is prepared by the children and the father. Families who would like to enjoy the summer sun, usually enjoy a picnic at the beach. In all these gatherings, the mother is the center of attention, and the rest of the family does their best to please her.

Aside from the usual presents like flowers, jewelry, and chocolates, Filipino families usually take gift-giving a step further by giving mothers a “day off” from her daily chores and duties as custodian of the house and home. Special activities such as concerts are also held in their honor.

Filipino mothers take care of their family all-year long. Their role is given importance, and their sacrifices are recognized. That is why mothers in the Philippines get to be queen even for just a day every year.

“Maligayang Araw ng mga Nanay!”