Husband of late 9/11 hero returns her ‘Woman of the Year’ award after Caitlyn Jenner win
The husband of a deceased police officer who was previously named Glamour’s Woman of the Year has returned her award – after transgender woman Caitlyn Jenner picked up this year’s prize.
Former Olympian and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner was named one of several Women of the Year by Glamour magazine, and picked up her prize this month in a Carnegie Hall ceremony.
However, the move has not gone down well with James Smith – whose wife Moira Smith was named Woman of the Year in 2001, after perishing in the 9/11 attack rescue efforts.
Mr Smith vented on Facebook, branding Jenner a ‘man’ and referring to her by her former name.
He wrote: “After discussing this slap in the face to the memory of our Hero with my family, I have decided to return Moira’s award to Glamour Magazine.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named [former name] Jenner ‘Woman of the Year’.
“I find it insulting to Moira Smith’s memory, and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award. Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man?
“At a time when we have women in the armed forces fighting and dying for our country, heroic doctors fighting deadly diseases, women police officers and firefighters putting their lives on the line for total strangers, brave women overcoming life threatening diseases…the list of possibilities goes on…is this the best you could do?
“I can only guess that this was a publicity stunt meant to resuscitate a dying medium.”
A Glamour spokesperson said: “We were proud to honour his wife in 2001, and we stand by our decision to honour Caitlyn Jenner.
“Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards recognize women with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.”
