Gabrielle Union reveals how hard it is for women to have kids and become an actor in Hollywood.
Gabrielle Union is opening up to Redbook about the struggles female actors face when trying to have an acting career and start a family.
“The reality is that women are discriminated against in the workplace for being mothers,” the BET Being Mary Jane leading actress tells the magazine in its October issue. “As much as there are strides being made — you get pregnant, your career takes a hit. You can’t have a bad day. Don’t you dare cry at work. Don’t raise your voice. Especially if you’re a black woman in corporate America — now you’re ‘the angry black woman.’ ”
The 42-year-old actress says she is trying to start a family with her husband Dwayne Wade, “”so far it has not happened for us”. Union adds that women are made to feel guilty for not having kids.
“There’s a certain amount of shame that is placed on women who have perhaps chosen a career over starting a family younger,” she tells Redbook. “The penance for being a career woman is barrenness. You feel like you’re wearing a scarlet letter.”
Gabrielle Union is one of three women chosen to be on the cover of Redbook’s anti-aging issue, including Erin Andrews and Maria Menounos. All three women talk about challenges they have faced while trying to start a career and a family.
