We all know how influential different world leaders, celebrities, authors, and activists are to our society, and all they do to encourage us to do our best and change the world. Time Magazine’s annual list of the most influential individuals of the year is officially out, and several talented, creative mamas made the cut — because we all know how strong and powerful moms can be!
Keep reading for all the creative and incredibly talented moms that made this year’s list of Time's "100 Most Influential People of 2020."
Ali Wong
Ali Wong is one funny mama! The famous comedian, actress, and author — who you can check out on one of her Netflix stand-up specials or the rom-com Always Be My Maybe — is one of the magazine’s influential artists of the year. Chrissy Teigen writes up a miniature profile on Wong for the issue, discussing her kindred spirit to the relatable comedian before they even met. Teigen explains how, as an Asian-American woman, it’s “so cool” to see someone representing your cultural heritage and defying stereotypes in mainstream entertainment. Just like us, Teigen loves how Wong is so open about her sexuality, her body and its functions, and how she pokes fun at her husband and kids when she “works her magic on the audience.”
What We Know About Her As A Mom: Ali and her husband Justin Hakuta share two toddler-aged daughters, Mari and Nikki, according to ScaryMommy. While many celebs always seem to have it always together, we can count on Wong to tell it like it is as she shares hilarious real-mom moments.
Gabrielle Union
Actress Gabrielle Union, who many millennial moms will always remember from Bring it On and 10 Things I Hate About You, has not only transitioned into a talented grown-up actress, reality TV persona, children’s book author, and producer, but she’s also an impassioned activist. Both she and her husband Dwayne Wade make the list of Time’s 2020 “Titans” honorees. #MeToo activist Tarana Burke penned an essay about the fierce mama and actress for the mag. Burke celebrates how Union uses all her creative influence to “advance an agenda that deliberately celebrates the most marginalized among us, including Black women and girls and queer and trans folks.”
What We Know About Her As A Mom: Gabrielle and her three-time NBA champion husband Dwayne Wade share their sassy 2-year-old daughter Kaavia James, who steals the show in every single Instagram her famous parents post online. Union is also a stepmom to Wade’s daughter Zaya, and sons Xavier and Zaire.
Anaïs Mitchell
This next Time100 honoree is taking us down, way down to Hadestown. Last year, the playwright and composer’s hit Tony-winning musical, Hadestown, became the hottest ticket on the Great White Way. Not only did the show feature such an artistic performance and hauntingly beautiful music, but it brought something totally new to the world of theatre. Mom of two Mitchell joins the ranks of artists in this year’s honorees with a write-up completed by the Tony-winning actor who portrays Hermes in the show, André De Shields. De Shields discusses how he first met the composer backstage at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater in 2009 and how she “seemed to be made entirely of magic” during this “brief but indelible encounter.” He explains that there was an “alchemical quality” that she brought to her folk opera-inspired musical based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, where she was the “aura of an oracle, the prescience of a blind poet and the skill to tease rhymes from consonants” in its creation.
What We Know About Her As A Mom: The singer-songwriter and her husband Noah Hahn share two daughters, Ramona and infant Rosetta, according to Broadway.com.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson is one of those rare talents who’s done it all. She’s conquered reality TV, scripted television, movies, music, Broadway, and has won an Oscar statue to boot. All on top of her daily, rewarding duties as a mom to her 11-year-old son. For all those reasons and a lengthy resume as proof, Hudson also makes the magazine’s list for influential artists. Grammy-winning musician, the legendary Mary J. Blige, compiles her thoughts in an essay on the Dreamgirls actress’ behalf. Blige writes how, ever since Hudson was booted off Idol, she’s been such an inspiration to women of all generals in their culture. She calls Miss Hudson a “beautiful person, calm and humble, professional and reserved on set—like me. She brings raw talent to both the music and film industries.” Blige commends Hudson for bringing her whole, authentic self to everything she accomplishes, calling it a “blessing.” According to Blige, her Respect costar is an uber-professional with an outstanding work ethic, and oh-so-talented. She writes, “every time I see her, I acknowledge how great she is.” As do we, Mary J. Blige, as do we.
What We Know About Her As A Mom: Jennifer shares custody of her 11-year-old son, David Daniel Otunga Jr., with her ex-partner, professional wrestler David Otunga, after their split in 2017, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Sources: Time, ScaryMommy, Broadway.com, Chicago Tribune