INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Caitlyn Jenner’s Controversial ‘Woman Of The Year’ Award

By Noelle Nicholas
Published on: 09:25 PST, Oct 25, 2015

Rumor has it that Caitlyn Jenner has just been named Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine. Never mind the fact that Caitlyn Jenner changed her name, as well as her gender, only a few short months ago. Apparently, one need not be a woman for the entire year to qualify for this esteemed award.

For the past 64 years, Caitlyn has been known by the distinguished name of Bruce Jenner, celebrated Olympian and reality TV star of the wildly popular Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

In April of this year, Caitlyn Jenner, then still known as Bruce, made her transgender announcement in an interview with Diane Sawyer. The debut of Caitlyn’s transformation was made on the cover of Vanity Fair’s July issue.

When the transformation from Bruce to Caitlyn was complete, Jenner explained how she had spent her entire life feeling that she was born the wrong gender. She discussed the struggle that ensued in trying to be the masculine Olympian and hero that everyone expected. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jenner explains how it felt to be Bruce.

“The uncomfortableness of being me never leaves all day long. I’m not doing this [gender transition] to be interesting. I’m doing this to live.”

In July, Caitlyn Jenner won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. Wikipedia states the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented annually at the ESPY Awards to someone whose actions “transcend sports.” Although it is typically a sports themed award, it is not limited to this category.

Caitlyn Jenner Ashe Award
Caitlyn Jenner’s emotional acceptance of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs earlier this year. [Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

Executive producer Maura Mandt expressed great joy at honoring Caitlyn Jenner with this prestigious award, reports ABC News.

“Bruce has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time but The ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn.

“She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces.”

Though Caitlyn Jenner’s highly publicized gender transition has been met with tolerance and even accolades, many women are angry at the fact that Jenner has been named Woman of the Year. According to Breitbart, ladies are protesting Caitlyn Jenner’s nomination as grossly unfair, considering she has little to no experience of being a woman. Some even consider her to still be a man since Caitlyn did not undergo genital transformation surgery.

The award is not just about being a woman, but the winner should display characteristics that support, encourage, and inspire ladies in all walks of life. The following is a statement by Laura Meyers.

“It’s what she does as a woman, to overcome struggles of womanhood, to advance womanhood, to inspire womanhood, that deserves an award. What has Caitlyn done for womanhood other than simply become a woman?”

The official announcement of the recipient of Glamour’s Woman of the Year award will take place on November 3.

What do you think about the controversial decision to name Caitlyn Jenner Woman of the Year? Do you agree with the decision? Share your thoughts here.

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

Share this article: Caitlyn Jenner’s Controversial ‘Woman Of The Year’ Award
Vanity Fair bruce jenner Caitlyn Jenner
More from Inquisitr