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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-05-10, Page 66 Signal Star • Wednesday, May 10, 2017 opinion coa�n Signal -Star Mother's Day VOL. 26 – ISSUE 10 PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 Signal Star Publishing 120 Huckins St. Goderich ON N7A 3X8 519-524-2614 www.goderichsignalstar.com POSTMEDIA JOHN BAUMAN Group Manager, Media Sales jbauman@postmedia.com ext. 232 JANET SHRIER Office Manager jashrier@postmedia.com ext. 220 KATHLEEN SMITH Editor katsmith@postmedia.com ext. 211 SUSAN MCINTOSH Sales smcintosh@postmedia.com ext. 228 TARA CORRAN Sales tcorran@postmedia.com ext. 230 STACEY SCOTT Inside Sales sscott@postmedia.com ext. 229 RHONDA BUTT Accounting rhbutt@postmedia.com MARY JOHNSTON Accounts Receivable majohnston@postmedia.com CURTIS ARMSTRONG Group Director of Media Sales 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 Editorial Deadline - Friday 2 p.m. Advertising booking deadline - Friday 1:30 p.m. SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $50.00 includes GST (12 months) Seniors $50.00 indudes GST (14 months) US $249.00 plus GST Foreign $416.40 plus GST Single Copy $1.50 includes GST Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDEUVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 120 Huckins St., Goderich ON N7A 3X8 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-524-2614 Goderich Signal Star is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For more information or to file a complaint go to www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll free 1-844-877-1163. The Goderich Signal Star shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad for typographical errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the error occurred. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement. The Goderich Signal -Star is a proud member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA). Member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspaper Association. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. ocna Canada A history and the Mothers of Confederation Kathleen Smith Goderich Signal Star 0 n Sunday, May 14 families across Canada will be dedi- cating their day to their moms and celebrating Mother's Day. According to mothersdaycele- bration.com the origins of Moth- er's Day can be traced back to the era of ancient Greek and Romans where festivals were dedicated to maternal goddesses. It can also be traced back to the UK where a Mothering Sunday was celebrated much longer than the present and modern concept of Mother's Day. For many, Mother's Day is a day to pay tribute to your mother and thank her for all she has done for you and her children, in order for her children to be happy and successful. The modem concept of Mother's Day is quite commercialized, as many holidays tend to be, and it is important to remember that the day isn't about who buys the best present, or brings the most flowers to their mom. The day is recognized as a holi- day for people to celebrate their mothers and to remember the day is about their mother. Truthfully, everyday should be a tribute to our mothers (and fathers) for all they do for their children, in order to feel loved, safe, and have the • resources to live a happy and suc- cessful life. This year's Mother's Day hap- pens to be in the 150th anniversary of Confederation of Canada, and there are certain notable women who can be referred to as the Mothers of Confederation and they too should be celebrated. According to an article written about the Mothers of Confedera- tion on thecanadianencyclopedia. ca The Mothers of Confederation are the wives and daughters of notable politicians and privileged families and who made contribu- tions to the historic record and political landscape. One of the Mothers of Confeder- ation, if not THE Mother of Con- federation is Queen Victoria, who believed that Confederation would reduce defence costs and strengthen relations with the US. Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the capital in 1867 for reasons of it being sheltered from American invasions, and met with John A. Macdonald in 1867, as the British North America Act was passed by the British Parliament. It is evident that Queen Victoria played a role in the Confederation of our great nation. Married to the Father of Confed- eration George Brown, another Mother of Confederation Anne Nelson Brown can be credited to influencing her husband's worldview. Anne can be credited to George's willingness to partner with political foes in the name of Confederation, and evidence of this can be found in correspond- ence between Anne and George during the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences in 1864. The correspondence between Anne and husband George pro- vides chronicling of the 1864 meet- ings, for which there are no official records of. Mercy Coles, a daughter of the first premier of Prince Edward Island, George Coles, attended the Charlottetown and Quebec Con- ferences with her parents. In fact, her diary titled "Reminiscences of Canada in 1864" is one of the most detailed sources about events that occurred prior to Confederation. Within her diary are recorded conversations at the Quebec Con- ference with future Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and brings light to the social politics of Can- ada in the mid -19th century. Another woman considered a Mother of Confederation is Luce Caviller, daughter of an important Montreal merchant, a cultivated women and a philanthropist. Luce has gone down in history as the mistress of George -Etienne Cartier and she attended the London Con- ference with Cartier in 1866. Never married and an inde- pendent businesswoman, Luce was an unconventional figure in Victorian mid -19th century era, who took an interest in politics and according to records, never hesi- tated to express her opinions. The second wife of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A Mac- donald, Lady Agnes Macdonald set Stock photo In Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation there are certain notable women who can be thought of as the 'Mothers of Confederation'. Queen Victoria (pictured) played a role in bringing Canada toward a Confederation. the standard for the 19th -century ideal of womanly behaviour. Lady Macdonald was expected to support her husband's political career by hosting social events and dinners for his colleagues. Even though Lady Macdonald could not vote or hold office her- self, she remained informed and an engaged observer, who recorded her insights and experi- ences in her diary. The final lady recognized as a Mother of Confederation is Lady Dufferin, who transformed Rideau Hall into a social and cultural centre. The first governor general's wife to tour Canada and a popular vice- regal consort, Lady Dufferin observed parliamentary proceed- ings in the House of Commons. She would then provide her hus- band with detailed accounts and keep her husband informed of Canadian political developments. . In an important year for our nation, it seems fitting to remind ourselves of the women behind the men who contributed, made sacri- fices and helped bring the Confed- eration of Canada to a reality. It is even more important to remind our selves of the sacrifices our own mothers have made to contribute to our wellbeing, to our happiness, to provide opportuni- ties for a successful future, for it is the children who are the future of a nation. According to one special mother that may or may not be related to yours truly, as nice as flowers, card, dinners cooked by someone else, or jewellery is, that isn't the most important gift a mother could receive. "Regardless of the consequences Photos by Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star With origins tracing back to festivals for maternal goddesses, the modern conception of Mother's Day is to honour our mothers, as well as the respect and love shared between parent and child. of life, the constant love and respect from your children is what every mother wants; my own wonderful mother explained to me. So this Sunday, as I'm sure we have all been taught, do not go to see your mother empty handed this Mother's Day, but most of all, remember that without our moth- ers we would be nothing. Personally, I owe my mother more than words could explain and only hope that my choices in life can make her proud. So shower your mother this Mother's Day with flowers, cards and gifts, but don't forget to also shower her with hugs, kisses and praise of her unconditional care and love for her children. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Signal Star welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verifica- tion). Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and length. Let- ters must be signed and be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander.