Real Talk

To The Women With No Children, You Still Inspire

by Alexa Villano
October 15, 2024

Actress Traci Ellis Ross made headlines in September during an appearance on Oprah and Vice President Kamala Harris’ episode, talking about women who are childless

In September, actress Traci Ellis Ross appeared in an episode where Oprah interviewed Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. In that episode, she was quoted: ” As a[51-year-old] childless woman, I wanna say to the people who think a woman’s worth is measured in her baby count — I mean, shoutout to all the amazing mothers — but childless women have been mothering the world and elevating the world as aunties, godmothers, teachers, mentors, sisters, and friends,” she said.

“You do not have to push out a baby to help push humanity forward,” she added.

That speech earned applause and went viral. Ellis Ross’s statement comes at a time in the US where they are set to elect a new leader in the form of Harris or a return to a Donald Trump administration, where the subject of abortion has divided its nation. It does not help that Trump’s vice president nominee J.D Vance has made a statement about childless women, which has not sat well with many.

But back to Ellis Ross’s statement. Not all women are fortunate to become mothers. Some chose not to become a mother for personal and medical reasons. Sometimes, women don’t need to be a mom to be complete.

The role women with no children play

There was a time when women were told that one of the best things in life was to be a mother. It still holds the truth for many. But in a world where so much has happened – economically and politically, having children is the last thing women today think about. Many married women have joined the DINK or Dual Income, No Kids to concentrate on their careers and on themselves.

But women today are more than just moms. They are sisters, aunts, teachers, and surrogate mothers to children who no longer have moms. As a 42-year-old childless woman and an aunt of two toddler boys, I take my role in their lives seriously. They spend much time at home with me after school while their parents are at work. As someone who is allowed to work at home, I am fortunate to check on them despite a babysitter in attendance. I want to be there as much as I can during their growing years and being there is already something I know they appreciate.

Teachers not only teach kids, they also teach people. They are the helpers of parents. They are the second parents to the kids. As someone with a sister who lives abroad and teaches international kids, she is not just a teacher to them. She is like a second mom they call Miss or Teacher, and learns not only the alphabet and numbers but the nuggets of day-to-day life.

Women with no children have also become surrogate mothers to those who have lost their moms. Like aunties, they take on the mom role. They provide physical, emotional, and other types of support when needed.

You still inspire and have purpose

To women with no children, know that you inspire people out there. You may not carry a child, but many are blessed with a mother’s instinct. You may have chosen a career over having a child but it does not make you less of a woman.

You have a purpose in society. You may not be a mom, but you contribute, as Traci Ellis Ross said. Never let anyone tell you that you have no contribution. Whether you focus as a career woman or a domestic person, you have something to give back.

Never let anyone tell you that you are nothing. You inspire people because you choose to go for your dreams. Not everyone is privileged to go after their dreams so march on!

To the women with no children, never allow society to dictate to you. You may not carry a child but you matter and always have a voice to express what needs to be heard.