Husband of 9/11 victim returns Glamour Woman of the Year award after Caitlyn Jenner wins this year's accolade
James Smith said he was 'shocked and saddened' by the magazine's decision to give the award to Jenner
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The widower of a police officer who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks has returned her posthumous ‘Woman Of The Year’ award after Caitlyn Jenner was the recipient of this year’s accolade.
James Smith wrote an open letter on Facebook to Glamour US’s Editor-In-Chief Cindi Leive where he told of his decision to return the award which his wife, Moira, won in 2001.
Moira was the only female NYPD officer to die during the attacks on the World Trade Centre while evacuating people from Tower Two.
Mr Smith told the New York Post he had removed the award from the shelf of their home and sent it to the magazine.
In the letter, Mr Smith refers to Jenner by her previous name Bruce and says the decision to present the award to Jenner, who publicly came out as transgender this year, was an “insult” to his wife’s legacy.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce Jenner ‘Woman of the Year’… Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man?”
“I can only guess that this was a publicity stunt meant to resuscitate a dying medium.”
He concludes: “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.”
Jenner, 66, was awarded the title at a ceremony in New York last week and heralded ‘The Transgender Champion’.
At the ceremony she was praised for “teaching America what it means to live a courageous and authentic life” by the actress Judith Light who presented Jenner with the award.
The reality television personality came out as transgender publicly in a televised US interview with Diane Sawyer watched by 17 million people in April, this year.
A spokesperson for Glamour said: “Glamour was proud to honor Police Officer Moira Smith in 2001 and we stand by our decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner among our class of winners in 2015.
"Caitlyn Jenner has helped shine a light on the problems faced by transgender youth and given voice to a community that is often unheard. Glamour's Women of the Year Awards recognizes brave, bold women who in their individual ways have all made a significant difference in the world.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.