Wanda Sykes speaks onstage during Variety Power of Women presented by Lifetime at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 29, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. − Naturally, comedian Wanda Sykes brought much-needed levity and laughter, but also shared a necessary call to action amid the current political landscape at the Variety Power of Women event Wednesday.

The Emmy Award-winning honoree, who highlighted the Ruth Ellis Center and the work the organization does for LGBTQ+ youth, addressed the pending expiration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, amid the government shutdown.

"We're at a moment in time where, with everything that's going on in the government, we need to create projects where life imitates art," the 61-year-old said at the Oct. 29 event in Los Angeles. "Looking at what's happening with cutting SNAP benefits, that's going to affect single mothers, hard."

SNAP benefits will lapse on Nov. 1, the first time in the program's 60-year history, as the consequences of the government shutdown spread across the country.

More than 42 million people across more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits every month during fiscal year 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, that means around 12% of the more than 342 million people in the United States utilize the benefits.

"So I want to do things that speak to them and uplift them," Sykes said. "Use your power to uplift women, show them what it looks like. If we did that, if that's the way we moved, we would have two female presidents by now."

Sykes was introduced to the stage by longtime friend Jane Fonda and her former "Monster In Law" costar. "I've been in the business a minute now and I've seen many people who can reach certain heights and forget all about who they are and where they came from, and Wanda is not one of those," the "Grace and Frankie" star said of Sykes.

Fonda concluded: "She has always worked hard to open doors for people after her."

Sykes proved Fonda's words about her right. "My joy is when I'm able to hire somebody," Sykes said during her speech. "And you know who I like to hire? Women. … That's just how I operate, and I'll be honest with you, if she's a Black woman, oh, girl, you got the job."

This year's Power of Women honorees included "Running Point" actress Kate Hudson (supporting World Food Programme), Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Nicole Scherzinger (supporting Special Olympics), Oscar-winning Jamie Lee Curtis (supporting Children's Hospital Los Angeles) and star of the upcoming "Christy" biopic, Sydney Sweeney (supporting the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence).

Gymnast and activist Aly Raisman was also honored with the Variety Courage Award, highlighting her advocacy for survivors of abuse.

Contributing: USA TODAY staff

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wanda Sykes urges people to 'uplift' single mothers amid SNAP benefit cutoff

Reporting by Pamela Avila, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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