Glamour meets politics at Women of the Year awards
THERE WERE MOVIE stars and supermodels, TV hosts and pop stars. But perhaps the most rapturous ovation at Glamour magazine’s annual Women of the Year awards went to 79-year-old Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California, who delighted the crowd with a rousing speech that ended on a very political note. “Impeach him,” she exhorted the audience. “Impeach 45! Impeach 45!”
Alongside Waters, honorees at Monday evening’s ceremony, held at a theater in Brooklyn, included actress Nicole Kidman, singer Solange Knowles, late-night host Samantha Bee, model Gigi Hadid, film director Patty Jenkins, and fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuri of Christian Dior. Also honored were record-setting astronaut Peggy Whitson, Syrian refugee and UNICEF ambassador Muzoon Almellehan and the many organisers of the January women’s marches.
Kidman, accepting her award, noted it had been “an extraordinary year — we’re in uncharted territory right now.” But she said she preferred to celebrate “all of us, and what makes us, us.” She thanked her parents, and then noted that she had “an extraordinary husband,” singer Keith Urban. “As much as I’m a strong woman, I need help and I need support,” she said.
Along with the honorees, there were plenty of highwattage presenters: Serena Williams, for example, came to introduce her friend, Hadid, noting that the supermodel was one of only a very few people that could get her to leave her new baby, even for one night. Drew Barrymore introduced Bee, and original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter introduced Wonder Woman director Jenkins. Singer-actress Zendaya, 21, introduced Waters. Waters told them that she didn’t just want them to vote - she wanted them to become politically active. “I want you to do everything you can to get ready to run for office,” she said.
As much as I’m a strong woman, I need help and I need support.” Nicole Kidman