National American Woman Suffrage Association, Mother's Day Letter (1912)
Dear Sir:
"Mother's Day" is becoming more and more observed in the churches of our land, and many clergymen on that day are delivering special sermons, calling attention to the Mother's influence in the Home. . . .
In view of the fact that in the moral and social reform work of the churches, the Mothers and Women of the churches are seeking to correct serious evils that exist in our cities as a menace to the morals of their children outside the home, and in view of the fact that churchwomen are finding that much of their effort is ineffective and of no value, because they are denied the weapon of Christian warfare, the ballot . . . we ask of you, will you not in justice to the Mothers of your church choose for your topic on "Mother's Day" some subject bearing on "The need of the Mother's influence in the State?"
Women are recognized as the most religious, the most moral and the most sober portion of the American people. Why deny them a voice in public affairs when we give it for the asking to every ignorant foreigner who comes to our shores?
The women have always been the mainstay and chief supporters of the churches, and in their struggle for their civil liberty. Should not their clergymen or Christian brothers sympathize with them and "Remember those in bonds as bound with them" and help them in their struggle? On behalf of the church work committee representing Christian Mothers in every State in the Union, I would be pleased to know if you will be one to raise your voice on "Mother's Day" in favor of the extension of the Mother's influence in our land "to help those women that labored with you in the Gospel?"