Girl Power at Glamour’s Women Of The Year Awards: Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, Caitlyn Jenner & More
Reese Witherspoon in Erdem Resort 2016 at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
“Every woman that I’ve ever played is passionate, strong, and flawed — except for Tracey Flick, she’s 100 percent perfect (she made me say that),” Witherspoon joked in her acceptance speech for Woman of the Year. Not only did she namedrop one of her most beloved characters from Election, she even gave a shout out to Elle Woods. The actress — and founder of a female-centric production company — went on to ask why ambition — a trait that both Tracey and Elle certainly possessed in spades — is perceived as a negative for women who want to achieve things? She, a working mother of three, challenged this widely-held thought. “I believe ambition is not a dirty word, it’s believing in yourself and your abilities. Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to believe in our own ability? To be a little more ambitious. I think the world would change.” And Witherspoon hopes to be part of the process, mostly by making movies that portray women in powerful roles. “Films with women at the center are not a public service project, they are a big time, body-mind enhancing, money-making commodity.”
Caitlyn Jenner in a custom Jeremy Scott gown with her daughter Kylie Jenner backstage at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
For Caitlyn Jenner (and many others like her), the gender transition she’s recently undergone has been a learning experience. On Monday night, she discovered that walking up stairs in a form-fitting gown (custom made for her by Jeremy Scott) and wearing high heels, is more difficult than hurdling at the Olympic level. But she’s also had to learn to answer the questions all women, particularly famous ones, are asked: What are you wearing? What’s your style? Are you a feminist? Sure, she has her daughters for help — Kylie, 18, was there but stayed backstage because she had a fever — but there’s only so much reality stars can relay. “I have so much to learn,” she said. “Over the past six months, it has been the most eye-opening experience of my life. For years and years, I never felt like I fit in anywhere, I always felt as an outsider, I never felt good on the male side and I wasn’t obviously in the female side, I was stuck in the middle. And when I made the decision to come out, it was by far the best thing I ever did. Because for so many years, I lost my enthusiasm for life.” But now, she likes going out, and, even better, she likes being herself and credits the people that went before her — Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, to name a few — with being able to do so.
Victoria Beckham in a dress of her own design with her son Brooklyn at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
While model Carolyn Murphy was officially tapped to present Victoria Beckham with her award, one of her three sons, the eldest Brooklyn Beckham who was her date for the evening, took the stage and was given the special honor. “I’m so proud of you, I’m so excited to be here with you tonight to present you with this award, I love you,” the 16-year-old said to his mom, which could barely be heard over the screams of his young fans. Victoria dressed for the occasion in a red dress of her own design with a fitted bodice and many skinny straps. A UN Goodwill Ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as a fashion designer, former pop star, and mother, she noted that she feels blessed to be able to do what she does — and it’s all accomplished for women. “It started with the Spice Girls and girl power and I want to send that same message to women through my collections,” she said. “I want to support, empower, and really make women feel like the best versions of themselves.”
Selena Gomez in Valentino at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
When Selena Gomez’s name was called out to take the stage, the crowd — made up of lots of teenage girls — erupted in ear-piercing screams of support for the pop singer. Wearing a red patent dress from Valentino’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection, she introduced Madeleine Albright, Iman, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Liya Kebede.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, who traded their uniforms for dresses and cleats for heels, at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
After winning the World Cup this summer, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team has washed off the sweat from intense practices — they’re preparing for the upcoming Olympics — and glammed up for events from the EPSYs to a visit with President Obama at the White House. As a whole, the women were awarded for their efforts on the field, but they’re just as special off of it. “Inspiration is probably the greatest gift women can give other women,” head coach Jill Ellis said. “If something that we did this summer somehow pushed some young girl to believe in herself, to push herself to achieve, then certainly I believe our legacy becomes something more powerful than just winning the World Cup.”
Elizabeth Holmes in a black pantsuit at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
The founder of Theranos, who was given her award by Jared Leto, was brought to tears by the women who spoke before her — and then, in turn, did the same. “Do everything you can to be the best in science, and math, and engineering,” she told the young women in the audience. “If you want to be an artist, or an astronaut, or an athlete, or a scientist, or a doctor, those skills, that language will help you to be the best and go all into it and break the stereotype that we can’t be the best in these fields.”
Cecile Richards in a red dress at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Cecile Richards, the longtime president of Planned Parenthood, has had a tough year, with some members of Congress fighting against the organization’s funding and a series of leaked videos that stirred plenty of controversy. But the activist has battled — and mostly won, though the fight’s certainly not over — against those campaigning against the women’s health provider. And while her message has been misinterpreted and misconstrued, it was very clear at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards: “No mother in the world wants her daughter to have fewer rights than she did and so it’s up to us that every single girl in this world are able to control their bodies, and their lives, and their futures.”
Serena Williams in a black sheer dress at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Serena Williams, who was called onstage as a past honoree to dish some sage advice, quoted something that she read: “The success of every woman should be an inspiration to another.” She added, “That’s something we should all do. We should raise each other up. Be very courageous, be strong, be extremely kind, and above all, be humble.”
Amy Schumer in a short red dress with bell sleeves at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
While in her standup she often pokes fun at women’s magazines (they make it so easy!), Glamour, according to Schumer, is one of the good ones. The host of the night took time to make the audience laugh and opened the night off by loosening everyone up, but she also made sure to call attention to gun violence. "If you’ve been convicted of domestic violence or you’re severely mentally ill, I don’t think you should be able to get a gun,“ she said. "It seems pretty simple, but people’s reaction is ‘She wants to take our guns’!"
Iman in Brandon Maxwell at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
A former Woman of the Year for breaking barriers in the modeling world and beyond, Iman stood out in a Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit with massive sleeves, one of the biggest trends of the season. “Diversity in race and gender is not a trend, it’s a movement,” she stated.
The women of Charleston, dubbed “The Peacemakers,” accepting their award at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Following the massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a few women who lost loved ones and had the right to have hate in their hearts, instead forgave the man charged with nine counts of murder, setting an example for the rest of the country — and world — to follow. “I’m honored to be here in a room filled with women and men of impact but I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to challenge everyone in here,” Alana Simmons, 26, said. “We all represent a different race, a different religion, a different orientation, even a different social class, but that doesn’t give anyone else the right to discriminate against us, to bully us, or to murder us. I want to thank Glamour for honoring us everyday women, for exuding extraordinary strength by conquering hate through love and so hate won’t win.”
Goldie Hawn in a black tuxedo at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Goldie Hawn, wearing a black tuxedo — with satin lapels and all! — presented Reese Witherspoon with her award. The Overboard actress called Witherspoon her “surrogate daughter.”
Viola Davis in a red skirt and black halter top at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
For Viola Davis, who was there to present the female survivors of the Charleston shooting with an award, the night was all about them, not How to Get Away With Murder, or her daughter’s Halloween costume, or her recent Emmy win. The South Carolina native, who grew up an hour outside of the city, was particularly struck by the tragedy because of her intimate connection to the place.
Ellie Goulding in a white dress covered in silver sequins at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Because the speeches weren’t inspiring enough, Ellie Goulding performed a beautiful rendition of her song “Anything Can Happen” with a string quartet and montage of young girls playing in the background. No doubt, the Brit can sing.
Misty Copeland in black turtleneck dress with a thigh-high leg slit at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Misty Copeland became a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre last year, which made her the first African American ballerina to reach that position in the company’s 75-year history. “I have to say that ballet is one of a kind in that the woman is essential. Without the prima, there is no ballet and without my mentors there is no Misty,” she said. “This is for all you young ones watching us, we’re trying to set the best example for you.”
Seth Meyers presented the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Seth Meyers, a self-described neb whose athletic prowess is supposedly so dire 78-year-old Madeleine Albright would beat him in a tennis match, was certainly an odd choice to present the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team with their award (he even confused soccer and lacrosse during his speech). His guidance for women in general though was pretty solid: “As women, you not only have a unique perspective as to what makes women great, you also have a unique perspective on what makes men great and I would say to the women here never waste your time with a man who doesn’t want your input and advice.”
Jared Leto sporting hot pink hair and a navy blue blazer at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
When asked by one reporter what sports he played in high school, Jared Leto yelled across the red carpet, “Drugs!” Which was actually a fitting answer, because he presented Elizabeth Holmes, the billionaire behind pharmaceutical giant Theranos, with her award. He sarcastically called the 31-year-old a “classic underachiever” and noted that she’s the only person who can make the actor/musician/tech startup founder feel like a “lazy bastard.”
Madeleine Albright in a navy blue and black-striped dress and a “Break the Glass Ceiling” pin at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Madeleine Albright can be called many things — a politician, philanthropist, first female Secretary of State — but simply put, and as she was described in the program, she’s just a legend. Making the best fashion statement of the night, the 78-year-old wore a “Break the Glass Ceiling” pin on her jacket.
Huma Abedin an abstract gingham print dress with an “HRC 2016″ Edie Parker clutch at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards..
Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton’s advisor, showed her support for the presidential candidate even while she was off the clock. On the red carpet wearing a blue. white, and black abstract print dress, she added some red into the mix like a good patriot with a custom “HRC 2016″ clutch from Edie Parker.
Jemima Kirke in a floral silk gown at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Jemima Kirke is quickly earning her fashion stripes, currently working with Chanel and other major brands, and she showed it off on the red carpet at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards in a silk gown with off-white and red flowers. The floor-sweeping dress had a tulip hem and puffy sleeves, adding some extra fun.
Jeremy Scott in a metallic suit of his own design at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Jeremy Scott made Caitlyn Jenner a dress that not only made her look amazing, but feel it as well, for her big night.
Lupita Nyong’o in Jason Wu at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
While in the past when she’s presented at awards shows Lupita Nyong’o’s whipped out her adorable reading glasses, this time, it was all from the heart when she announced ballerina Misty Copeland as a Glamour Woman of the Year.
Zoe Kazan in pajamas at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Zoe Kazan pulled a Woody Harrelson and showed up to the event in silk pajamas. Chic ones, but still…
Emma Hemming-Willis in Self-Portrait at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Emma Willis wore the trendiest brand of the moment: Self-Portrait. And unlike many of her fellow celebrities instead of calling on the designers to borrow the garment, she bought it for herself off of Net-a-Porter. Willis, the wife of Bruce Willis, told Yahoo Style she would name her mother-in-law, because she immigrated to the United States as a 20-something with 1-year-old Bruce, didn’t speak a word of English, and “built a dream for the rest of her family. She’s just amazing.” She added she’s “strong like a bull.”
Ivanka Trump in a pink gown and holding her pregnant belly on the red carpet at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Just days after helping her father during his Saturday Night Live monologue, Ivanka Trump attended the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Wearing a bubblegum pink gown and carrying accessories of her own design, her presence proved that not all Trumps hate women.
Elizabeth Moss in a LBD at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
On hand to present Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood with her award along with Eve Hewson and Uzo Adubo, Elizabeth Moss went for a post-Halloween vampy look in a LBD with sheer shoulders and dark lipstick.
Rowan Blanchard in wide-leg pants and a floral top at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
The Girl Meets World star has already made a name for herself as a feminist leader-on-the-rise, so Rowan Blanchard must’ve felt right at home at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards. Wearing wide-leg patterned pants with a strapless top embellished with flowers, the teenager enthusiastically enjoyed the night, sharing her excitement on social media.
Liya Kebede in an off-white suit with a black blouse at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
A former Glamour Woman of the Year, Liya Kebede was called onto the stage by Selena Gomez along with Madeleine Albright, Serena Williams, and Billie Jean King to share some powerful advice with the audience. The model, who has worked in her home country of Ethiopia tirelessly to improve living conditions for the impoverished, dressed sophisticatedly for the important occasion in an off-white suit and a black pussy-bow blouse. “Make activism a part of your life now,” she said. “And if you want to change something in your life, change it.”
Tavi Gevinson in a gold mini and Miu Miu heels at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Tavi Gevinson’s ready for holiday season! The Rookie founder wore the perfect winter party dress — a metallic mini with a cute collar — and paired it with opaque tights and killer heels.
Andreja Pejic in a white lace dress at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
On hand to watch as fellow trans icon Caitlyn Jenner received the Glamour Woman of the Year award, Andreja Pejic wore a white lace dress with gold strappy shoes. The face of Make Up For Ever represented the brand with a statement red lip.
Billie Jean King in an all black ensemble, pearls, and multi-colored glasses striking a pose backstage at the 2015 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
A former Glamour Woman of the Year, Billie Jean King, who fought tirelessly for Title IX and equality of the sexes not just in tennis and sports but beyond that as well, looked cool in an all black ensemble, which she punched up with pearls and pink and purple-rimmed glasses. “Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself,” she advised. “Lift up, learn, lead, and be inclusive.”
Have you ever sat in a room so electrified by empowerment that your feet start tapping, your heart starts racing, and your mind is moving in a million different directions? Well I have, and let me tell you, it’s a rush. On Monday night at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Reese Witherspoon, Caitlyn Jenner, Victoria Beckham, Misty Copeland, women impacted by the Charleston shooting, Elizabeth Holmes, Cecile Richards, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team were honored as Glamour Women of the Year.
Sure, it seems like every other week there’s another women’s magazine handing out an award to some celebrities with their famous friends in the audience at a glitzy event. But this one was different. Instead of Hollywood’s elite coming together to praise each other’s works of art — ugh, ugh, ugh, a thousand ughs — this one took the time to celebrate women who have done extraordinary things from ordinary beginnings, and spoke to the people on how — and why — the could (and should) do the same.
Look at Elizabeth Holmes as an example. Her dream as a child was to invent something that would change the world and at 19, she did just that. Now, a little more than a decade later, she has her name on hundreds of patents, has created a company worth billions, and changed millions of lives through science. “Do everything you can to be the best in science, and math, and engineering,” she told the young audience in the nosebleed section, consisting of students and members of Girls, Inc., The Girl Project, and the Boys & Girls Club. “If you want to be an artist, or an astronaut, or an athlete, or a scientist, or a doctor, those skills, that language will help you to be the best and go all into it and break the stereotype that we can’t be the best in these fields.”
But it wasn’t just the teenagers, so excited to see Selena Gomez that their screams might’ve bursted some eardrums, who were dished out inspiring advice. Reese Witherspoon, an actress known for her roles in Election, Walk the Line, and Legally Blonde, has, in the past few years, become a mega-producer in the film industry, focusing strictly on projects with interesting and positive roles for women, not those that cast them in the archetypical submissive role to a man. “Films with women at the center are not a public service project, they are a big time, body-mind enhancing, money-making commodity.” Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl and current designer, takes the same approach and applies it through her career. “It started with the Spice Girls and girl power and I want to send that same message to women through my collections,” she said. “I want to support, empower, and really make women feel like the best versions of themselves.”
It’s possible that Beckham, whose 16-year-old son Brooklyn presented her with her award (again, cue the shrieks), might have a new client in Caitlyn Jenner, who happens to have recently found her authentic self. “For years and years, I never felt like I fit in anywhere. I always felt as an outsider. I never felt good on the male side and I wasn’t obviously on the female side. I was kind of stuck in the middle, but all of a sudden, after making this decision and coming out, it was by far the best thing I ever did, because for so many years, I lost my enthusiasm for life,” the 66-yar-old, who was wearing a custom Jeremy Scott gown in royal blue with an off-the-shoulder silhouette. “Now, actually, I like going out and I like being myself.”
So here’s my personal advice: watch these women’s speeches (click here to view them all), read some choice quotes throughout this slideshow (be sure to have your tissues and Twitter at the ready!), and be inspired. It’s a pretty great feeling, trust me.
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