In the name of motherhood: moms share tender testimonies on the intimate joys of parenting

From Tupac's "Dear Mama" to Boyz II Men's "A Song for Mama" the tributes to mom, especially around Mother's Day, never stop. Nor should they. Ebony joins in on the lauding of motherhood by spotlighting famous moms as well as the moms of famous individuals.

They include actress Tichina Arnold and singer Monica, who both became moms while their entertainment careers were in full swing. With Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and her son, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, we feature two generations of politicians. Rapper Bow Wow credits his musical success with having a strong, positive mother in his life. And Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, the wife of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., shares how her mother remains extremely instrumental in her own family.

Tichisa Arnold, 37

"Rochelle" from Everybody Hates Chris and mom to Alijah Kai Haggins, age 3

"I like watching [Alijah]. I love watching her when she doesn't know that I'm looking. She is so expressive and she knows what she wants. She's a drama queen as well. But she's very sociable and she has a lot of my traits. It's just weird seeing it ... a little mini-me.

"I've learned that I am way stronger than what I thought I was. I'm unstoppable. I never knew that about myself. I never knew that I was so relentless. And that came from motherhood."

Teresa Caldwell

CEO of Positive Management, Inc. and Taste Clothing Boutique in Atlanta and mother of recording artist Bow Wow

"A child is the most special gift anyone could ever have. Becoming a mother changed nay life instantly. Parenting can be challenging and at times difficult, but it's also very fulfilling. Bow is a wonderful son. We're very close, and he knows that he can come to me about anything. Communication is key to our relationship as mother and son, and manager and artist."

Monica, 26

Grammy Award-winning songstress and actress shown with her mother Marilyn Best, 55, and her son Rodney Ramone Hill III

"I've always heard about the kind of love that you have between yourself and your children, and I didn't really understand it. I used to be really, really confused when my mom would be so upset about something that happened to me: it would seem as if it happened to her. Now I know what that love feels like. It was kind of hard to understand when she would explain it, but I feel it now. It's so different. Even if it's something as simple as him falling, or him getting hurt, I see exactly what she's talking about.

" ... He looks to me for everything that he needs, even if it's his favorite peanut butter and ,jelly sandwich that he expects very quickly every day. He looks to me for those things."

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, 61

Congresswoman (D-Mich.) and Mother of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, 36

"I think women all over the world do this. [Motherhood is] like balls in the air. You keep the balls volleying in the air. I think I'm no different than any other woman with children.

"You lean on your faith. You lean on your support system. I think it's an African tradition, and it exists today. And we have to continue that tradition because that's what makes children and families strong."

Sandi Jackson, 43

7th Ward Alderman, Chicago Deputy Director, Training, Democratic National Committee Wife of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., (D-Ill.) Mother to Jessica, 7, and Jesse III, 3

"I have a great support system in that my own mother lives full-time with us--Jesse asked her to move in with us before Jessica was born and help us raise our family.

"I learned from my own mom [Sarah Stevens] to do everything with gusto and passion!

"My mother enjoys every second of life, she has an empowering nature. I try to instill that in my children. They are my two little gifts, and I am so grateful for every day because I want them to know how blessed they are to have all the wonderful things we have in our life--great family, friends and neighbors."