By Maggie Downs
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Most mothers expect flowers, a sappy card or burnt breakfast in bed for Mother's Day.

Mothers Acting Up has something very different in mind for this year's celebration of motherhood.

Peace. Power. Activism.

IF YOU GO

What: Mothers Acting Up parade. When: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday Where: Findlay Market, Over-the-Rhine Cost: Free. Information: (513) 591-0806 or (859) 344-9961; e-mail cincy@mothersactingup.org; go online at Web site

They will share their revolutionary point of view during a parade that begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Findlay Market. The program will last for about an hour.

"The original intent of Mother's Day called mothers to move from concern to action, but has evolved into a holiday that operates on a different level," said Alicia Beck, 30, of Winton Place, who co-founded the local parade. "We've kind of lost that other component. We've lost the part that says mothers have a lot of power."

The group's goal is to strip commercialism away from Mother's Day and bring it back to its old-fashioned roots - all the way back to 1872,when Julia Ward Howe made a proclamation for a Mother's Day dedicated to unity and activism. Howe was an abolitionist, suffragist and author of "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"We want to resurrect this idea that our common cause is concern for children and that we can unite to mobilize our strength," said parade co-founder Elizabeth Cochran, 26, of Edgewood.

This parade is one of several planned across the country from Los Angeles to New York.

Organizers are striving for a carnival-like atmosphere, encouraging participants to wear costumes. That includes tall hats, hoop skirts, scarves or whatever strikes one's fancy. One local actress will be in a period costume to represent Howe and will lead the group in singing the newly fashioned "Battle Her of the Republic."

Though Mothers Acting Up is not affiliated with any political party, there will be petitions and other opportunities to take action for different causes.

"It's a real fun event, showing off the power women have and engaging women in the political process," Beck said.

Everyone is invited. At this event, "mother" means anyone who exercises care over a child.

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com