Award-winning actresses honored motherhood at 79th Annual Tony Awards

On June 7, two winners at the 79th Annual Tony Awards celebrated motherhood in their acceptance speeches.

Key Takeaways:

• Caissie Levy won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Mother in the revival of "Ragtime."

• Shoshana Bean won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Lucy in "The Lost Boys."

• Both women gave emotional acceptance speeches in which they honored motherhood.

The Details:

Caissie Levy, 45, is a wife and the mother of two young children. Her career, beginning in 2006, has included starring roles in major musicals like "Wicked," "Hairspray," and "Les Miserables." She most notably originated the role of Elsa in the Broadway production of "Frozen," but was nominated for her first Tony award this year.

Last year, Levy starred as Mother in the Broadway revival of "Ragtime," which earned her first Tony nomination. At this year's 79th Annual Tony Awards, she won the award for Best Actress in a Musical.

In her emotional acceptance speech, she thanked numerous people in her life, with one specific remark garnering widespread applause, both in person and on social media.

"[Thank you to] every babysitter who's made it possible for me to be both a Broadway actor and a mother," she said, adding, "Playing Mother has been one of the greatest gifts of my artistic life, and being mother to my kids has been the greatest joy of my life. Izaiah and Talulah, I love you, and although I'm not there to tuck you in each night, you have to know that a part of my heart stays home with you."

Caissie Levy wins for Lead Actress in a Musical at The 79th Annual Tony Awards

Shoshana Bean, 48, is also a Broadway veteran who has appeared in shows like "Wicked" and "Hell's Kitchen" before garnering a Tony Award for her performance in "The Lost Boys." While Bean is not a mother herself, she honored motherhood in her acceptance speech, specifically mentioning her own mother as her role model.

"This is for the mamas," she began. "This is for the single mamas. This is for my single mama. You are the wild heroes." 

Shoshana Bean wins for Featured Actress in a Musical at The 79th Annual Tony Awards®

Why It Matters:

Numerous celebrities have publicly spoken about how they believe abortion was necessary for their career success. Others have said they were pressured to have abortions, even if they didn't necessarily want them. Singer Victoria Monét said she was pressured to have an abortion, but refused, and won several Grammy awards in 2024, three years after giving birth.

Cheryl “Salt” James, one half of the iconic “Salt-N-Pepa” hip hop duo, said she was pressured to have an abortion:

I was actually asked to have an abortion — I won’t say by who — but to your point, yeah, you just have to know that it’s something that you’re capable of handling if you want a kid and you want to have a career. And it’s definitely harder.

Having my daughter, besides finding Jesus, is the best thing that I’ve ever experienced, my kids. Like, I needed that lil’ baby in my life, you know? She kept me company on the road.

Yet numerous other superstars have spoken about motherhood, and how they were able to continue excelling at their jobs, both in the arts and in sports.

The problem is not the children, but the lack of support; as Levy pointed out, she was able to succeed in her Broadway career because she had the support and resources to do so. Her example shows how much of a difference the ability to have that kind of support can make.

Zoom In:

In 2016, “Hamilton” star Renee Elise Goldsberry won a Tony award for her role as Angelica Schuyler, and in her emotional acceptance speech, she said the best part of her life was going home to her husband and children. While openly sobbing, she said:

I would just love to say that, if you know anything about me, I have spent the last 10 years of my life, what some would consider the life blood of a woman’s career, just trying to have children.

And I get to testify in front of all of you that the Lord gave me Benjamin and Brielle, and he still gave me this.

Acceptance Speech: Renée Elise Goldsberry - Best Featured Actress in a Musical (2016)

Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones won an Oscar for her role as Velma Kelly in “Chicago,” which she filmed while pregnant. Gal Gadot gave a powerful portrayal of Wonder Woman and, like Zeta-Jones, was pregnant during filming.

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong said being a mom was her “secret weapon,” and tennis superstar Venus Williams won a Grand Slam tournament while two months pregnant. Olympian Kerri Walsh-Jennings won a gold medal while pregnant, and said, “I feel like I was born to have babies and play volleyball.”

The Bottom Line:

Motherhood is one of the most sacred callings a woman can have, and it affects everyone in every community. Women can have successful careers without sacrificing their children, and might even create future 'superstars' (on or off the stage) in the process.