Born in 1832, Ann Reeves Jarvis organized Mothers' Day Work Clubs in Taylor County in 1858 to improve sanitation and public health. After the Civil War began, she united women on both sides of the conflict to care for the sick and wounded. After the war, she started Mothers Friendship Day to encourage peace between former foes. Jarvis, the inspiration for Mother's Day, died May 9, 1905.