AfterSonorabecameanadultsherealizedtheselflessnessherfatherhadshowninraisinghischildrenasasingleparent.Itwasherfatherthatmadealltheparentalsacrificesandwas,intheeyesofhisdaughter,acourageous,selfless,andlovingman.In1909,Mrs.DoddapproachedherownministerandothersinSpokaneabouthavingachurchservicededicatedtofathersonJune5,herfather'sbirthday.

ThatdatewastoosoonforherministertoPparetheservice,sohespokeafewweekslateronJune19th.Fromthenon,thestateofWashingtoncelebratedthethirdSundayinJuneasFather'sDay.Childrenmadespecialdesserts,orvisitedtheirfathersiftheylivedapart.

Inearlytimes,wearingflowerswasatraditionalwayofcelebratingFather'sDay.Mrs.Doddfavoredtheredrosetohonorafatherstillliving,whileawhiteflowerhonoredadeceaseddad.J.H.Berringer,whoalsoheldFather'sDaycelebrationsinWashingtonStateasearlyas1912,choseawhitelilacastheFather'sDayFlower.

StatesandorganizationsbeganlobbyingCongresstodeclareanannualFather'sDay.In1916,PresidentWoodrowWilsonapprovedofthisidea,butitwasnotuntil1924whenPresidentCalvinCoolidgemadeitanationaleventto"establishmoreintimaterelationsbetweenfathersandtheirchildrenandtoimPssuponfathersthefullmeasureoftheirobligations."