Father's Day Was Created By a Woman From Central Washington

Father's Day will be celebrated June 15th in the US, Canada and the UK and a debt of gratitude is due a woman who lived in North Central Washington as a young girl for her efforts to recognize fatherhood with a special day.

Sonora Smart Dodd, was born in Arkansas in 1882 but moved to a farm near Wilbur, WA .in 1889. Dodd is the woman we can thank for Father's Day, which was first celebrated in Washington state .

Dodd was raised by her Civil War veteran father William Jackson Smart, who was twice widowed and raised Dodd and her four siblings alone. Dodd longed for a holiday similar to Mother's Day that recognized the tireless work of her father.

Her inspiration was a sermon she had heard about Mother's Day and she decided in 1909 to promote the idea for a Father's Day holiday to Spok