Sadie Moon (b. 1880, d. 1956) was called “Mother Moon” by most who knew her because of her caring attitude and quiet motherly demeanor. Sadie reached out selflessly whenever there was a chance to better the lives of others in her reach. She treated all children as if they were hers even though she was raising ten children of her own.
Sadie helped many who were sick or needy in her community. She helped mothers who did not know how to care for their sick children, not stopping to worry that she herself might become sick. For sixteen years, she taught Sunday School for boys, teaching them to give generously of their time and service but reminding them to give “quietly.” Sadie tirelessly wrote letters of encouragement to the boys from her Sunday School class who were sent to war. At Christmas, most of the cards she received were from those boys whose lives she had touched.
The homeless and itinerant workers at the times were known as “tramps” or “hobos” and they rode freight trains across the country. To help safeguard their travels and to guide others, a system of chalk marks were developed and used to communicate among those riding the rails. One such mark indicated houses where they could find a free meal. In Macomb, Sadie Moon’s house had a mark indicating a family willing to offer a meal. It was said “Mother Moon” would not let her family erase the chalk mark even in times when the family felt that they had just enough food for themselves.
All women who care for the well-being of others may carry the title of “Mother.” This is a reminder to us that social service and activism starts with humble beginnings and begins to grow and branch out of there to affect many lives.
“A life of service is one of immeasurable impact. We have all been blessed with “Mother Moons” in our lives. They leave us a powerful legacy and a wonderful model of a life well-lived…” Jane Leighty Justis (Community Foundation of NE Iowa Brochure)