Mother’s Day is not an especially important holiday around my house. I no longer have a mother and I’m not a mother (except to five cats who never get me anything). Ever since my mom died, it’s a been a day tinged with a little bit of sadness, but mostly one that slips by unnoticed.

Sometimes a new twist on a holiday can make it as good, or even a whole lot better than the way it used to be, though. Thanks to the efforts of Canadian animal advocacy group Liberation B.C., and their brilliant Cow Ribbon campaign, Mother’s Day has become the perfect day to advocate for farmed animals.

A cow ribbon is a symbol of concern for dairy cows—suffering mothers who are forced to continually reproduce and then immediately give up their newborn calves. Wearing a ribbon isn’t just symbolic, though. Since most people don’t have a clue about the cruel practices behind dairy production, this is your chance to tell them. Someone is sure to notice and ask about your cow ribbon. Jasmin Singer of Our Hen House wrote last year about the great grocery store conversation she had in response to hers.

If you don’t have time to order a cow ribbon from Liberation BC you can buy a roll of cow ribbon (or you crafty types can make your own in a pinch with white grosgrain ribbon and a black magic marker). Then prepare a little elevator speech about the abuse that is inherent in dairy production, and head out to the grocery store for some great Mother’s Day activism.