Nationwide — When Dr. Audrey Muhammad came up with the idea to create a holiday that specifically celebrates Black women in a way different from Mother’s Day, she turned to her daughter, Hasana, who was attending North Carolina A&T State University as a computer science major to help her develop a website. After graduating, Hasana continued to update the website with additional historical information and now their web site, MothersOfCivilization.org, has become a major platform that allows people to highlight their mothers, sisters, aunts, friends etc. with beautiful “Honor” displays. Some people have even honored their mothers on the site as a Mother’s Day gift.
Dr. Audrey, who describes herself as both an educator and a visionary, says that that this groundbreaking holiday is a way for us to instill pride, uplift and honor the vital contributions of women of African and Indigenous descent to the foundation of civilization. “This holiday is so important because it incorporates our heritage as mothers of civilization; the first women on the planet. Our self-esteem is often linked to what we believe about ourselves and our history. We are often only taught the history of Black people being enslaved and not embracing our beauty. I remember my cousin telling me a story about the time he was missing an eraser in his classroom when he taught math in South Africa many years ago. When he asked about his eraser [duster], another student pointed in the back and said, ‘She has it, she wants to be beautiful.’ Sure enough, a young girl was using it to pat white chalk on her face. “I was shocked that the European standard of beauty had affected the motherland also,” she said.
The first national celebration for this unique holiday was held via zoom in 2021, in the midst of the pandemic. The late Dr. Ava Muhammad sent in a special message for the event that can be viewed on YouTube. The first Mothers of Civilization Day book-signing was in Houston, Texas.
“When I think of royalty, I think of African Kings and Queens; this holiday helps us showcase this rich history,” said Dr. Audrey.
Layered in a rich fabric of culture, resilience, and wisdom, Mothers of Civilization Day stands as a testament to the invaluable role that Black and Indigenous women have played throughout history. From Queen Nzinga to Harriet Tubman to Michelle Obama, the fearlessness of Black women stands true. According to Dr. Muhammad, “Black women have not only passed down customs from generation to generation but have also nurtured our communities and preserved our cultural heritage.”
So, How do you celebrate “Mothers of Civilization Day?”
It is a day that you take the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and aunts and put them in a “circle of love” and have each family member share a positive word about each woman. It is also a time for a history lesson and to let the children know that they are looking at the first women to be on the planet. You can do this at a family gathering or on a Zoom. Some may even celebrate it during that Thanksgiving weekend since many families will be together. It is a non-religious, non-commercialized Holiday. More information about the day can be found on the National Archives Day website, which now lists it as a national day at www.nationaldayarchives.com/day/mothers-of-civilization-day/
Black history can truly be celebrated throughout the year because the Mothers of Civilization website allows men and women to pay tribute to the “Mothers of Civilization” in their lives throughout the year. They can give an “honor” any day of the year at MothersofCivilization.org.
The honor will be placed in their listing and stay on the website forever. In this digital world, children and grandchildren can now read about women in their family online thanks to the “Mothers of Civilization Day” website. Virtue Today Magazine is the media sponsor for the day.
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As the holiday gains momentum, Dr. Audrey Muhammad envisions “Mothers of Civilization Day” spreading beyond borders, reaching across America to Africa and beyond. She plans to travel to schools, colleges, and organizations throughout America. She is available for interviews or speaking engagements at schools and conferences.
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