LOS ANGELES (AP) — Often hailed as the pioneer of Father’s Day, Sonora Smart Dodd laid the foundation for celebrating fathers in 1910 in her hometown of Spokane, Washington. Her initiative birthed the annual tradition of presenting gifts that range from comically flamboyant neckties to heartwarming finger paintings crafted by little hands, brimming with love and capable of eliciting even the most unyielding fathers’ tears.
The spark of this tradition ignited within Dodd as she sat in a Spokane church on Mother’s Day in 1909, attentively listening to a sermon that exclusively praised mothers. This one-sided celebration troubled her, prompting the question, “Why isn’t there a Father’s Day?” Dodd’s great-granddaughter, Betsy Roddy, shared this insight with The Associated Press in 2017.
Dodd’s deep-rooted connection to the significance of fathers was deeply influenced by her personal upbringing. Following the tragic loss of their mother during childbirth in 1898, Dodd and her five younger brothers were raised solely by their father, William Jackson Smart.
Having served in the Civil War and later becoming a farmer, Smart not only shouldered the responsibilities of both parents but did so with unwavering dedication and affection. Dodd always recognized and cherished her father’s exemplary display of “leadership and love,” firmly believing that he deserved recognition for his remarkable efforts.
Driven by her passion, Dodd dedicated herself tirelessly to promote the concept of Father’s Day. Collaborating with local clergy and garnering the support of the YWCA, she successfully organized the inaugural Father’s Day celebration in Spokane in 1910. This historic event was documented in The River Press of Fort Benton, Montana.
Despite the initial prediction that Father’s Day would quickly spread nationwide, its popularity grew slowly. Undeterred, Dodd embarked on a remarkable 62-year journey of advocacy, tirelessly lobbying presidents and retailers to rally behind the cause.
Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the third Sunday of June as an official federal holiday to honor fathers. Dodd, who had witnessed her dream slowly unfold, passed away at the age of 96 in 1978, knowing that her efforts had ultimately come to fruition.
Sonora Smart Dodd, the remarkable visionary behind Father’s Day, was not only a trailblazer in the realm of honoring fathers but also an embodiment of a Renaissance woman. Alongside her role as the Mother of Father’s Day, she possessed a diverse range of talents and pursuits. As a painter and poet, Dodd expressed her creativity and artistic sensibilities. Furthermore, she ventured into the business world, actively managing a funeral home alongside her husband.
While balancing her professional endeavors, Dodd also dedicated herself to the upbringing of her only son, Jack, who would later become a father himself. Her multitasking abilities and indomitable spirit were evident in her various roles and responsibilities.
Betsy Roddy, Dodd’s great-granddaughter and the marketing director for a prominent Los Angeles company, expressed profound admiration for her ancestor’s rebellious and independent nature, recognizing the profound impact she had made. Dodd’s renegade spirit continues to be a source of pride and inspiration for those who appreciate her enduring legacy.
Dodd’s great-granddaughter, following in her ancestor’s footsteps, inherited a similar spirit of independence and adventure. Growing up in Washington, D.C., she pursued higher education at Penn State, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English. Fueling her curiosity, she embarked on a transformative journey across Europe, backpacking and immersing herself in different cultures while pursuing studies at Vienna’s Webster University. Her academic pursuits led her to earn a master’s degree in international business.
Eventually settling in Los Angeles many years ago, she discovered her passion for marketing, finding her niche in this dynamic field. Over time, she established herself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere, eventually finding a home in a charming Craftsman-style residence on the west side of Los Angeles. Accompanied by her two dogs, she continues to embrace the spirit of exploration and creativity that her great-grandmother Sonora Smart Dodd exemplified.
As an only child and recently widowed after a long marriage, Roddy did not have children of her own, making her the last direct descendant of the creator of Father’s Day. While she has always been aware of this unique heritage, she had never publicly discussed it until now.
Roddy’s involvement in her great-grandmother’s legacy deepened when MyHeritage.com, a company specializing in tracing family histories, approached her for information about her family’s story. Discovering historical documents about Dodd that even Roddy and her mother were unaware of, MyHeritage provided new insights into their family history. Consideration is being given to potentially donating some of these artifacts to a museum in the future.
Roddy fondly recalls her deep love for her great-grandmother during her childhood and their yearly visits. She cherishes the poems, books, and notes that her great-grandmother gifted her, including one that warmly welcomed her into the world during the year of her birth. Preserved in pristine condition, this precious item is kept in a small box in Roddy’s home.
While growing up, Roddy admits that she took Father’s Day for granted, assuming that the elaborate celebrations and the special card for her great-grandmother were simply customary in her family. Even as an adult, she mainly left it to her mother to share the story of their unique connection to Father’s Day.
However, Roddy now feels it is time for her to embrace her role as the ultimate insider of Father’s Day and proudly carry on the legacy. Recognizing herself as the last direct descendant, she feels honored to preserve and uphold this remarkable heritage.
(Note: The closing note indicates that this story was initially published in 2017, and the author retired from The Associated Press in 2021.)