May 16, 2014 (Florence, SC) ─ In 1870, the same woman who penned the words to the famous U.S. Civil War-era song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Julia Ward Howe wrote a Mother’s Day Proclamation, calling on all mothers to unite for peace in the world.

Howe’s impassioned plea for peace planted the seeds for Mother’s Day in North America. Forty-four years later, at the urging of activist Anna Jarvis, President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday in 1914. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in 70 countries worldwide.

Mothers were held in high esteem during the Mother’s Day Social at Pee Dee Gardens, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Florence. Residents celebrated mothers with refreshments, pink cake, watermelon and other fruit, as well as pink lemonade.

Pictured left is Pee Dee Gardens resident Florence Barton with her daughter Brenda. Musical entertainment was provided by Marion Anderson, an 89-year-old musician who plays electric guitar. Anderson played some great oldies and church hymns.

For more information about Pee Dee Gardens, please contact Administrator Sherri Scott at (843) 667-6699 or visit us on Facebook.