In a widely circulated essay a while back, a soon-to-be mother shared her perspective on the decision to omit the term “mom” from her bio. She expressed a desire to prevent her identity as a mother from overshadowing her other accomplishments. Her concerns centered on the societal tendency to reduce women to their roles as mothers, which she felt was excessively prevalent. Now, over a year later, she has welcomed her child and appears to have stayed true to her original stance.
While I respect her choice, I firmly believe in including the word “mom” in my bio, and here’s why.
As a plaintiff-side employment discrimination attorney, I have represented numerous mothers from diverse backgrounds even before I embarked on my own motherhood journey. These women were passionate professionals; they were educated, hard-working individuals who refused to be defined solely by their motherhood. Yet, they faced discrimination at work simply for being mothers.
I have witnessed mothers losing their jobs after childbirth, those who endured harassment due to miscarriages or postpartum challenges, and mothers who were pushed into corners because they needed a private space to pump. Opportunities were stripped away from them merely because they chose to bring life into the world while continuing their professional pursuits.
Before I became a mother, I could only imagine the frustration and pain these women experienced. After I became one myself, those feelings intensified. The idea of being discriminated against simply for my status as a mom lit a fire within me. It made me more focused and compassionate, not just for myself but for all mothers navigating similar challenges.
The unfortunate truth is that, for women, discrimination based on potential motherhood is almost a given. Regardless of personal circumstances, women often encounter biases simply because they can bear children. I remember, as a young college student, being asked by an older male partner in a law firm whether I planned to have children—a question that now strikes me as deeply inappropriate and illegal.
The workforce has historically been structured around traditional gender roles, where men work while women are expected to stay home and care for children. Thus, when I became a mother, I recognized that I couldn’t compartmentalize this aspect of my identity. It was an integral part of who I am.
For the past three years, I have co-chaired the Working Parents Committee in my state’s women’s bar association. The feedback we’ve received underscores the necessity of our advocacy. We need voices proclaiming, “I’m a lawyer, and I’m a mom too.” We must challenge outdated notions of motherhood and redefine what it means to be a working mother.
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to demonstrate that motherhood, while a monumental part of our lives, does not define our entirety. We can be both devoted mothers and accomplished professionals, despite what naysayers might suggest.
Therefore, regardless of my work hours—whether they total 80, 40, or even 12—I will always include “mom” in my bio. It is a badge of honor that signifies resilience, capability, and the multifaceted nature of womanhood.
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In summary, my identity as a mother is a vital part of my life, and I proudly include it in my bio to challenge stereotypes, advocate for working mothers, and inspire the next generation.