Serena Williams attends the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City.
Serena Williams sparked controversy and angered fans when she suggested that she would become a “real woman” once she gave birth.
“I have so much respect for so many women (for giving birth),” Williams told Stellar magazine for their new cover story, adding, “I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It’s going to be something incredibly impressive to go through.”
But many people were outraged by the definition of a “real” woman, since many women choose not to have children or are unable to.
— Serena Williams hosts star-studded ’50s-themed baby shower —
“So, in your view, I’m not a real woman because I CHOSE not to have children? #ChooseYourWordsCarefully,” one user wrote.
“Really unfortunate statement from her,” another user wrote. “All women are real, not just the ones who give birth.”
“Didn’t know I had to have a baby to be a ‘real woman’ ..thanks for letting me know @serenawilliams,” a third wrote on Twitter.
Williams hasn’t yet publicly responded to the backlash against her comments.
In the same interview, she also spoke about how the “scariest thing” about being pregnant was her fear that it would impact her tennis career but that she was excited all the same.
Really unfortunate statement from her. All women are real, not just the ones who give birth.
— michael epps (@michael_epps) August 8, 2017
