Letter from a Legislator

Celebrate

Last week I promised a brief history of the inspiration for Father’s Day.

According to www.brownielocks.com, it was Mother’s Day! Sonora Smart Dodd (Spokane, Washington) was listening to a Mother's Day sermon in her church and thought silently to herself that fathers needed the same sort of recognition.

Sonora's own mother died in 1898. She was one of six children. Her father raised his children alone after his wife's death. She felt that her father definitely deserved some recognition.

She began working through protestant churches and local groups in the Spokane area to promote this holiday. She decided that the third Sunday in June would be the day, and instead of a carnation (like Anna Jarvis proclaimed for Mother's Day) Sonora said everyone should wear a rose for Father's Day.

She circulated a petition at first among ministers and church organizations. So, the very first Father's Day observance took place in churches and was similar to the Mother's Day celebration.

The churches also used Father's Day as a way to promote the masculine side of Christianity and to remind men (who might become fathers) and all fathers of their obligation to look after their family’s spiritual welfare also.

Sonora Dodd then formed a committee to promote the new church celebration by getting political endorsements, answering questions from around the country and putting on local celebrations.

Although she did a lot of work, the idea of a Father's Day did not catch on as quickly as a Mother's Day did.

By 1920, Father's Day had pretty well evaporated from the American social calendar and Mrs. Dodd had moved on to other interests.

But after studying at the Art Institute of Chicago and working as a fashion designer in Hollywood, she came home to Spokane 10 years later in the 1930's.

At that time, she resumed her campaign for a Father's Day. By this time, the holiday (celebrated only in churches) was 25 years old. Suddenly, there was a renewed interest and Father's Day got a little boost.

President Calvin Coolidge had originally recommended that Father's Day become an official observance in 1924. But it took until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation proclaiming the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.

Unfortunately, Sonora Smart Dodd died in 1978 at the age of 96, and only lived to see her holiday celebrated for a few years.

Today, the Father's Day Council estimates that this observance brings in approximately $1 billion a year in retail sales.

This year, Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 21. I wish all fathers, grandfathers and anyone acting as a father-figure a wonderful and happy day.

I believe it is important to remember all our fathers who are serving in the military and are not able to be with their families on this special day.

Take the time to say “Thank You” to their families for the sacrifices they make every day, not just on special occasions.

If you have any questions or comments about state government, you can contact me by writing to Sen. Joe Sweeden, Room 535, State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Or you can call us at (405) 521-5581.

Sen. Joe Sweeden