Mothers’ Day Movement was founded by a small group of women inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, Half the Sky, which chronicles the oppression of women and girls in the developing world. We learned that with support and opportunity, women become empowered and their lives, the lives of their children and their communities are forever changed.

When we learned that $14 billion is spent annually in the United States on Mother's Day celebrations on things such as flowers, cards and meals, we were astonished. Given the number of women and children suffering globally, and here at home, we believe it is time to rethink our giving priorities each Mother's Day.