An Inside Look at 'Marie Claire’s Power Moms Event

The celebratory soirée was one to remember.

Gabrielle Union, Reshma Saujani, Nikki Ogunnaike, and Kali Uchis.
(Image credit: BFA)
Lauren Tappan's avatar
By
published
in Features

Wednesday, May 9, marked a special day for Marie Claire. The magazine unveiled its inaugural Motherhood Issue, featuring a “Power Moms List” that recognized a cohort of seven women reshaping the narrative around parenting and leadership. To honor these inspiring moms, Marie Claire’s editor-in-chief, Nikki Ogunnaike, hosted an awards ceremony in partnership with Reshma Saujani, founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code.

The “Power Moms List” showcased the issue’s cover stars: actress and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union, singer-songwriter Kali Uchis, and actress, producer, and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone. Additional honorees included Bobbie co-founders Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy, attorney Cherelle Griner, and Creative Director and Head of Womenswear Design at J.Crew, Olympia Gayot.

Held at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, the star-studded soirée began with a lively cocktail hour, where guests mingled around silver platters of fresh margaritas and steak tartare. Afterward, attendees made their way downstairs to Café Carmellini for a dimly lit dinner, where Ogunnaike and Saujani kicked off the awards ceremony with a speech.

"At Marie Claire, we spotlight the women moving culture forward—and we know you can't tell the story of progress without telling the story of moms,” said Ogunnaike. “The Power Moms are a diverse group of actors, activists, business leaders, and musicians who, despite their different fields, have one thing in common: motherhood isn’t a limitation, it’s part of their legacy.” Ogunnaike also thanked the event’s esteemed partners: Carolina Herrera, Katie Kime, Glo2Facial, EltaMD, and PCA SKIN.

After the opening remarks, the Power Mom honorees shared heartfelt experiences of motherhood and accepted their well-deserved awards, which featured an etching of Back Home, original art by Voltz Clarke Gallery artist Katy Ferrarone. The awards were provided by Bennett Awards

Later in the evening, guests indulged in plates of tortellini, sea bass, and chocolate ganache tart, while receiving gift bags filled with luxury products from Dagne Dover, Kaleidoscope Juice, MAM baby, and Bird&Be.

Scroll on for a glimpse inside Marie Claire's 2025 Power Moms event.

Reshma Saujani, Nikki Ogunnaike

Reshma Saujani and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Gabrielle Union, Nikki Ogunnaike

Gabrielle Union and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Kali Uchis, Nikki Ogunnaike

Reshma Saujani, Kali Uchis, and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Nikki Ogunnaike, Olympia Gayot, Sade Lythcott

Reshma Saujani, Nikki Ogunnaike, Olympia Gayot, and Sade Lythcott.

(Image credit: BFA)

Cherelle Griner, Nikki Ogunnaike

Cherelle Griner and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Nikki Ogunnaike, Michelle Buteau

Nikki Ogunnaike and Michelle Buteau.

(Image credit: BFA)

Hillary Kerr, Nikki Ogunnaike

Hillary Kerr and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Abby Phillips and Nikki Ogunnaike.

Abby Phillips and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Sarah Hardy, Reshma Saujani

Sarah Hardy, Reshma Saujani, and two other guests.

(Image credit: BFA)

Alexis McGill Johnson, Sade Lythcott, Tarana Burke, Jodie Patterson, LaTonya Yvette, Dee Poku

Alexis McGill Johnson, Sade Lythcott, Tarana Burke, Jodie Patterson, LaTonya Yvette, and Dee Poku.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Jessica Wang, Nikki Ogunnaike

Reshma Saujani, Jessica Wang, and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Jessel Taank, Nikki Ogunnaike

Reshma Saujani, Jessel Taank, and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Rebecca Minkoff

Reshma Saujani, Rebecca Minkoff, and one other guest.

(Image credit: BFA)

Nikki Ogunnaike, Tiffany Reid

Nikki Ogunnaike and Tiffany Reid.

(Image credit: BFA)

Café Carmellini

A glimpse inside Café Carmellini.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Nikki Ogunnaike

Reshma Saujani and Nikki Ogunnaike.

(Image credit: BFA)

Reshma Saujani, Michelle Ruiz, Andrea Stanley

Reshma Saujani, Michelle Ruiz, and Andrea Stanley.

(Image credit: BFA)

Olympia Gayot

Olympia Gayot.

(Image credit: BFA)

Cherelle Griner

Cherelle Griner.

(Image credit: BFA)

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union.

(Image credit: BFA)

guest seated at Café Carmellini

Reshma Saujani and her husband pictured among other guests at Café Carmellini.

(Image credit: BFA)
Lauren Tappan
Lauren Tappan
Fashion Editor

Lauren is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes trend reports, shopping pieces, and celebrity news stories. Prior to Marie Claire, Lauren worked for Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE as a freelance editor with a specific focus on seasonal styles and coveted products. She also worked for Town & Country, where she developed a robust portfolio of fashion roundups and designer profiles.

Lauren graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in journalism. While attending Penn, Lauren contributed to the university's fashion magazine, The Walk, while also interning for Philadelphia Style Magazine and EveryStylishGirl.

When she’s not exploring the world of fashion, you can find Lauren sharpening her skills as a DJ, discovering new restaurants in New York City (she’s a foodie), and spending quality time with friends and family. Follow her along at @laurenktappan.

Latest