“I can’t pretend balance exists,” Gabrielle Union declared on May 7 at Café Carmellini, just before top editors honored her for a role that many underappreciate. In an era of glossy “have-it-alls,” Union’s cover story drops a truth bomb: motherhood demands community, not perfection. Her unapologetic stance on guilt, grace, and “asking for help” cuts deeper than any celebrity reveal.

On May 7, 2025, Marie Claire and Moms First unveiled the inaugural Power Moms List, honoring seven trailblazing mothers, including Union. The list also included singer-songwriter Kali Uchis, actress and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone, Bobbie infant formula co-founders Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy (who stepped up during the California wildfires), attorney Cherelle Griner, and J.Crew’s womenswear visionary, Olympia Gayot. Different paths, different platforms—but the same unshakable truth. These women are shaping a world that works better for all of us.

After being named one of Marie Claire’s Power Moms, Union took to her Instagram with a message that felt like a warm hug to moms everywhere. “Thank you, @marieclairemag, for this incredible honor,” she wrote. “I share it with all mothers—and with the unwavering hearts of my village who have never faltered in their love, belief, and support. This moment is ours.”