Jesús María Arcay Smith

Jesús María Arcay Smith was a prominent Venezuelan physician and social activist known for his role in establishing the first Mother's Day celebration in Venezuela in 1921. Leading the Society of Charity and Concord, he organized the initial commemoration in Valencia, which honored the diverse dimensions of motherhood, including the Virgin Mary, the motherland, and the mother of humanity. His efforts contributed significantly to the eventual recognition of Mother's Day as a national holiday in Venezuela.