A man whose wife was a member of the NYPD and died tragically on 9/11, has decided to return her “Woman Of The Year” Award from Glamour magazine after the publication allowed Caitlyn Jenner the same honor.
James Smith, who also happens to be a NYPD officer, says he took the award down off the shelf in home, and sent it FedEx, back to the magazine after they presented Jenner with the honor.
Moira Smith died at the age of 38 after rushing into the south tower on that day in 2001, and was honored by the magazine a month after her death.
Smith says he told the magazine’s editor, Cindi Leive, to take the award and shove it in an open letter penned on Facebook.
Dear Ms.Leive,
On October 29th, 2001 I was honored to accept the Glamour Magazine “Woman of the Year Award” posthumously given to my wife, Police Officer Moira Smith. Moira was killed on September 11th, 2001 while rescuing thousands from the World Trade Center. EMT Yamel Merino was also posthumously honored that evening for her heroism.
I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce 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.
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.
Sincerely,
James J Smith.
Smith received tons of comments on Facebook applauding his letter, while Glamour stands by their decision to honor Jenner.
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.”
Jenner was among several others honored last week, including tennis star Billie Jean King, Serena Williams Hope Solo and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.