madres

Madres is the plural form of madre in Spanish, meaning mothers. The term denotes female parents and, more broadly, motherhood as a kinship or social role. The word derives from Latin mater and has cognates in many Romance languages, such as French mère and Italian madre, reflecting shared linguistic roots across the family of languages.

In everyday use, madres appears in discussions of family life, kinship, and gender roles within Spanish-speaking communities. Cultural practices related to motherhood vary by country, but in many regions mothers hold central roles in family and community life. Mother’s Day is widely observed in Spanish-speaking countries, with dates that vary by tradition; for example, Mexico celebrates Día de las Madres on May 10 each year.

Historical and notable uses: Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo is a prominent example of a movement associated with the term. Formed in 1977 in Argentina by mothers of desaparecidos (the disappeared) during the dictatorship, the group organized weekly vigils in the Plaza de Mayo to demand information about their children and to highlight human rights abuses. The organization became a symbol of peaceful civic action and national memory.

In arts and literature, madres frequently appear as symbols of care, sacrifice, resilience, and family bonds, reflecting the diverse ways motherhood is portrayed in Spanish-language culture. The term remains a common and culturally significant everyday noun as well as a marker of social and historical topics related to motherhood.