How mothers in America have turned their grief and despair into political action Mother’s Day is the opportune moment to acknowledge the vital role mothers play in leading political change. Mothers have been one of the most powerful political groups in the United States.Olivia Waller / for MSNBC May 9, 2021, 12:56 PM UTC On April 26, a group of mothers gathered in Chicago, Illinois to hold a vigil for families who have lost loved ones to police violence in the city. These women — including Dorothy Holmes, the mother of Ronald Johnson, who was shot and killed by Chicago Police in 2014 — demanded police accountability. The women pointed out the string of violations by the Chicago Police Department and called to defund the police.