Serena Williams Gets Honored With ‘Giving Tree Award’ at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala
The tennis legend was honored with a prestigious award at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala in West Hollywood on Friday, recognizing her ongoing work in mental health advocacy and her support for children and families.
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Serena Williams turned heads at the gala, where she accepted the "Giving Tree Award" presented by Paul Mitchell. This moment celebrated both her timeless poise and her commitment to purpose beyond the court.
Serena Williams attends the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California on November 8. | Source: Getty Images
Held at the Pacific Design Center, the star-studded gala recognized individuals who use their platforms to uplift vulnerable communities. At 43, Williams stunned in an off-the-shoulder gown that gracefully fused bold black with a soft blush foldover neckline — a look that balanced strength and softness in equal measure.
Serena Williams exudes confidence in her gown at the event. | Source: Getty Images
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Her honey-blonde hair cascaded in voluminous, face-framing waves, while flawless makeup accentuated her glowing complexion. A subtle nude lip and softly defined eyes tied together the look that radiated both elegance and resolve.
Serena Williams stands tall with her posture radiating quiet poise at the gala. | Source: Getty Images
The "Giving Tree Award" spotlighted Williams' unwavering efforts to raise awareness around mental health and support families in need. Yet while her achievements were center stage, online fans zeroed in on one small — but noticeable — detail. Photos and video clips from the night revealed a patch on Williams' right arm, igniting a flurry of speculation across social media.
Serena Williams at 2025 Baby2Baby gala. | Source: Getty Images
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One Instagrammer asked, "What's the patch?" while another wrote, "She [sic] making sure we see her weight loss patch 😏." A third chimed in, "What's with the patch on her right arm? 😳😳" Others grew concerned, asking, "Is she okay?" and remarking, "She looks very uncomfortable."
The patch on Serena Williams's right arm has the internet raving. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Redditors were more focused on the former tennis player's fashion, with one writing, "Beautiful dress and the jewelry is perfect. The hair seems to have a gray undertone that I'm not the biggest fan of."
Another added, "1000%. The dress is amazing on her, no notes on that. It's the shade of blonde I think is too cool toned for her and I think it washes out the blush pink on the dress [sic]."
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Williams addressed the honor in her own words via Instagram, sharing:
"Thank you @baby2baby for honoring me last night with the 'Giving Tree Award.' What you do is so important, especially right now and I am so grateful to have been a part of an incredible event. It was so fun to be surrounded by so many friends and women who are really making a difference."
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In another post, she added, "A night out with friends @baby2baby Photo Credit: @gettyimages / Michael Kovac / Stefanie Keenan / Araya Doheny."
Serena Williams, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Co-CEO, Baby2Baby, Norah Weinstein, Co-CEO, Baby2Baby and others attend the 2025 gala held at the Pacific Design Center. | Source: Getty Images
Baby2Baby echoed the sentiment, celebrating Williams' advocacy in their own post:
"It was our honor to present @serenawilliams with the Giving Tree Award at the 2025 Baby2BabyGala presented by @paulmitchell for her fierce commitment to uplifting children and families and her powerful advocacy for maternal health."
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The public's curiosity about the patch on her arm may be tied to recent revelations about Williams' personal health journey. In August 2025, Williams spoke with People and Vogue about using a GLP-1 medication to support weight management, resulting in a weight loss of over 31 pounds.
Serena Williams reacts to a point against Danka Kovinic in the US Open first round in New York City on August 29, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
"I feel great," she told People. "I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally." Her challenges began after giving birth to her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite maintaining a disciplined diet and rigorous fitness routine, Williams faced frustrating hurdles as her body resisted returning to its former athletic shape.
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https://www.instagram.com/serenawilliams/p/BY-7H9zhQD7/?mWidth=350&mHeight=606&dWidth=600&dHeight=879The struggle, she explained, was deeply personal. As someone who had built her success on relentless effort and discipline, encountering a wall she couldn't break through felt foreign — and disheartening.
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In her candid interview with Vogue, Williams elaborated on what led her to try GLP-1 medication following the birth of her second daughter, Adira River, in 2023.
"My whole life is being in the gym, working out, running, training, HIIT training, dancing, every single thing you can think of," she said. "I would always get to a certain point on the scale, but I could never get below that. That's when I decided that it was time to try something different and got on the GLP-1 with Ro."
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She has since embraced open conversations about body image and health, especially as a mother of two daughters. Williams views honesty as a cornerstone of her parenting, fostering trust through transparency.
Moreover, she has become a vocal advocate for removing the stigma surrounding weight-loss medications. Her choice, she emphasizes, was about reclaiming wellness, not vanity.
Serena Williams plays against Laura Siegemund in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on February 8, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
As the evening came to a close, Williams's presence at the Baby2Baby event reinforced what many have long believed — that her influence goes far beyond the tennis court. Her legacy is no longer defined only by strength and triumph, but by compassion, courage, and the willingness to speak candidly about the challenges women face.
In honoring Williams with the award, the nonprofit not only celebrated her accomplishments but also recognized a woman committed to empowering others through empathy and truth.
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