Role Mamas

Award-winning children's author Andrea Davis Pinkney has turned stories into reality all of her life, whether it was about her career goals—wanting to be a journalist in New York City—or her personal life—having a family whose names were in alphabetical order. (That would be her husband, illustrator Brian Pinkney, and her two children college student Chloe, 18, and dancer Dobbin, 15.) Davis Pinkney tells mater mea how one of the greatest stories of her life happened—changing the face of children's literature one book at a time as a working mom.

Kuae Kelch Mattox left her high position to raise her children. After more than a decade, she's ready to share what she’s learned back to the workforce.

Professor Mignon Moore has spent decades establishing herself as an innovative and insightful voice in the field of sociology; now she’s embarking on her latest journey: motherhood. After working for so long behind the hallowed walls of some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, Moore tells mater mea about the pleasures and difficulties of switching gears to jump on the parental track.

Nadja Bellan-White one of the rare women who are in the top ranks of marketing and advertising tells us how she manages her work and family.

Meridian Adams talks about navigating this new chapter in her life and her hopes when she switches her priority from her career to her son.

Most women hope to accomplish by 35 what Alexandra Elle has done by 24. Career-wise, Alexandra counts author, jewelry designer, motivational speaker, and social media maven among her many titles. These titles may come naturally to Alexandra now, but they were far from her reality in 2007, when she first found out she was pregnant. Alexandra chats with mater mea about the challenges she faced as a young, first-time mother and the resulting insights that guide her now and then.