Tamera Mowry Says It's 'So Important' for Her Daughter to 'See Herself' Reflected in the Media (Exclusive)

The 'Sister, Sister' star shares her daughter Ariah and son Aden with husband Adam Housley

Tamera Mowry-Housley is hoping to create a better world for her daughter.

While attending the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on Thursday, the Sister, Sister star, 45, opened up about how important it is for her daughter Ariah, 8, to see representation in the media.

Talking about how Essence was one of the first magazines that she saw herself in, Mowry-Housley praised the publication for making young women "feel seen."

"Being a young girl in Hollywood, and unfortunately the covers of Teen, the covers of Seventeen didn't always have faces that looked like mine," Mowry-Housley tells PEOPLE. "So there was Essence."

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Related: Tamera Mowry-Housley Enjoys Christmas with Her Husband Adam and Their Two Kids: 'Sending Waves of Joy'

"There's nothing like seeing these beautiful Black women just looking elegant, sexy, just gorgeous, and it just made that young woman feel seen. So Essence has just always had a very special place in my heart."

Mowry-Housley went on to share how important it is that her daughter Ariah sees herself represented in the media, just like it was for the actress when she was young.

"My daughter has gorgeous brown skin and we live in Napa and there might not be a lot of that. Again, she has her mother, but there's nothing like seeing yourself," Mowry-Housley says. "When you see yourself and you see yourself in someone else that may look like you. It's actually empowering."

"So we need Essence. I mean Essence, they did a cover for my sister and I. It was one of the first covers we ever did, and I was elated. It was so much fun."

Mowry-Housley shares her daughter and son Aden, 11, with husband Adam Housley.

For Christmas this year, the actress posed with her family of four on the beach at sunset. Standing behind her daughter, Mowry-Housley held her by the shoulders while her husband stood behind Aden. The actress also included solo shots of her daughter and her son on the beach as they watched the waves.

"From our family to yours, we're sending waves of joy and the warmest Merry Christmas wishes! May your holidays be filled with bright and cheerful energy this year. 🎄🙏🏽✝️," the proud mom wrote in her caption.

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