And that's a wrap! Glamour's Women of the Year Awards may be done for another year, but we're not going to stop reliving it anytime soon.
Taking place on Thursday, 30th October at 180 The Strand, sponsored by Simple as Supporting Partner, Nobu Portman Square as Official Hotels Partner, Cupra as Official Automotive Partner and Parfum de Marly, Foundation FM and Tinder also as Supporting Partners, the awards were a celebration of sisterhood. At the event's 19th anniversary, we honoured an array of trail-blazing women who have shaped the culture this year, including the likes of Rachel Zegler, Tyla, and Hannah Hampton.
A moment for The Dolls! Our final cover drop celebrated nine incredible transgender women – Shon Faye, Bel Priestley, Munroe Bergdorf, Munya, Ceval Omar, Taira, Dani St James, Maxine Heron, and Mya Mehmi – who have all shifted the dial during a tumultuous political period for women and LGBT+ rights.
Vick Hope, the legendary TV and radio presenter, journalist, and author, kicked off the proceedings with a speech about “recognising our sisters.”
“I'm going to let this moment pass tonight that expressing our solidarity with our sisters in Palestine and in conflict zones around the world. I would also like to take a moment to celebrate Glamour's very own victory this year, pushing to make it illegal to create deep fake form of someone.”
Glamour's new Head of Editorial Content, Kemi Alemoru then took to the stage. “We understand women are not a monolith," adding that our “safety and security” can never come at the expense of the “LGBTQ community, migrants, people of colour, disabled people.”
"Their rights are our rights. Their safety is our safety. Feminism that does not include them all is not feminism,” she concluded.
And with that, we bring your the most empowering moments and speeches from this year's Women of the Year Awards.
In her editor's letter, Glamour global head of editorial content Samantha Barry reflects on why this year's theme is a love letter to the sisters we’re born with—and the ones we find along the way.
Charlie Craggs rocks a “Reform Will Never Be Glamour” t-shirt
In 2023, actress and activist Charlie Craggs wore an iconic “Transphobia Will Never Be Glamour”. This year, she outdid herself with a “Reform Will Never Be Glamour” shirt on the blue carpet. And it really does speak for itself.
Adwoa Aboah: “I am no one without my girls, I am no one without sisterhood"
Adwoa Aboah is the definition of a multi-hyphenate. An actor, activist, podcaster, model, Aboah has appeared in iconic projects including Top Boy and Too Much, starred in countless campaigns, and spearheaded the groundbreaking Gurls Talk, a charity for young women and girls inspired by her own journey with depression and addiction.
“It is women and girls that have impacted my life more than everyone,” she said during her speech. “It is sisterhood that has forever been the constant. It's something truly too hard to put into words… I've been so lucky to have sisterhood come into my life in all ways… I'm so happy to be awarded this such tremendous company. So thank you so much. I am no one without my girls. I am no one without sisterhood.”
Sugababes: “Sisterhood is power. It’s resilience. It’s not perfection. It’s love.”
Siobhan, Mutya and Keisha, the iconic trio we all know and love as the Sugababes, are honoured as Women of the Year. In their speeches, the singers spoke about how sisterhood had been a constant force in their careers since they first signed to London Records in 1998.
“When we started, we were just three teenage girls from North West London navigating an industry that didn’t always know what to do with girls like us — strong, opinionated, creative, a little rebellious,” Siobhan said. “But those moments shaped us. They taught us to trust our instincts, to hold our ground, and to keep pushing boundaries — not just in music, but in life.”
Munya then sung the praises of her “sisters,” Kesha and Siobhan. “Every time we step on stage together, it still feels like the first time,” she said. “I get the same butterflies, the same excitement, and I never take that for granted. Winning back our name, Sugababes, was worth every fight — because it means everything to us.”
Keisha concluded with a beautiful reflection on what sisterhood means to them.
“Sisterhood is power. It’s resilience. It’s not perfection. It’s love,” she said. “It’s sometimes controversial — but it’s forgiveness, it’s lessons, and it’s growth. It’s holding space for each other, even on the days we don’t show up as our best selves. It’s knowing that when one of us shines, all of us shine.”
And that's something we can all relate to.
As trans rights face increasing threat in the UK, Glamour honours nine of the community's most ground-breaking voices at this year's Women of the Year Awards. From fashion and music to charity and activism work, these trailblazers work tirelessly to empower, uplift and celebrate trans voices.
Connor Ives, the designer of the Protect the Dolls t-shirt: “We need to celebrate the dolls”
London-based US designer Connor Ives designed a simple t-shirt that read “Protect the Dolls” in support of his trans friends. It quickly went viral and became a global phenomenon and a symbol of trans rights and allyship.
“We need to celebrate the dolls. We need to take action for the dolls,” he said. “We need to show up for them in spaces they may not be in yet and employ them with access to housing and health care. We can all do more to protect the dolls, and I implore each and every one of the people in this room to do exactly that now.”
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The Dolls: Dani St James and Monroe Bergdorf make a powerful appeal for “active advocacy”
In February, London-based US designer Conner Ives started a fashion movement, wearing a ‘Protect the Dolls’ t-shirt during his AW25 show. It was a statement of solidarity for his trans friends that has become a global movement, with everyone from Madonna to Pedro Pascal to Tilda Swinton donning the fabulous shirt. We have honoured nine dolls as Women of the Year to celebrate their work across fashion, music, publishing and activism. All nine dolls took to the stage to accept their awards, with Dani St James and Monroe Bergdorf giving powerful speeches.
“As anti-trans sentiment grows around the world, especially here in the UK, it’s heartening and encouraging to see passive allyship evolve into active advocacy; a lending of one’s status, power or voice to support us when we need it most,” said model Dani St James as she accepted her award. “That spirit is reflected here tonight, and in the Protect The Dolls campaign that broke through the noise this year.”
She went on to ask for allies to let their “enthusiasm turn into action.”
“Pay the dolls, employ the dolls, take the dolls off the moodboard and put them in front of and behind the camera," she added. "Love the dolls out loud, and speak up for the dolls in the face of adversity, whether or not we’re in the room.”
Model and activist Monroe Berdorf went on to echo James's words. “Discrimination and exclusion can never be acceptable for anyone, regardless of our gender identity, race, faith, class, ability, nationality, or sexuality,” she said. “Whenever you see it, regardless of who it is happening to, be that protector, be that person. We keep each other safe. We protect each other.”
Tyla: “If you have a dream, if you have anything that you really want to do, just try.”
It's not hyperbolic to say that Tyla is quickly becoming a global icon. Her 2024 self-titled debut album has been streamed over 2 billion times. This summer, she won our hearts at Coachella and All Points Each. And now, she's one of our Women of the Year.
In her speech, she spoke about the power of following our dreams — even when they seem impossible.
“If you have a dream, if you have anything that you really want to do, just try,” she said. “You know, the worst thing that can happen is it doesn't happen… everyone that is fearless, you're trying and not knowing if you're going to fail or succeed — you guys are the coolest people in the world for real, and I pray that it works out for you, too."
Hannah Hampton: “Sisterhood is not just a word, it's a movement”
England's beloved keeper, Hannah Hampton, is nothing short of a sporting legend. For Chelsea Women FC, she kept a staggering 13 clean sheets in 22 appearances, before going on to help England take home the Euros title and become the first female goalkeeper to win the Trophée Yachine at the Ballon d’Or.
“Sisterhood is not just a word, it's a movement,” she said in her empowering speech. “It's the quiet strength we lend each other, the encouragement whispers when doubt creeps in, the celebration of women's successes as a victory for us all, when one woman rises, she lifts up another. And that the true meaning of empowerment.”
She went on: “To every woman in this room, never underestimate your voice, your work. Empowered women don't wait for permission. We build our own tables like extra chairs and make sure every sister has a seat.”
The England goalkeeper, who saved the Lionesses from defeat to become crowned European Champions in July, speaks to Glamour’s Lucy Morgan about resilience, creating change and proving people wrong
Rachel Zegler pays homage to the “women who made her”
Rachel Zegler may be one of our Women of the Year, but she's also proving to be one of the most inspiring women of her generation. She landed her first role in Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story in 2021. In the five years since, she's starred in the Hunger Games prequel, Disney's live-action Snow White, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Most recently, she's taken London by storm with her remarkable performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's remount of Evita.
In her acceptance speech, Zegler sang the praises of the women who have inspired her along the way, from her mother to Dame Helen Mirren herself.
“My mother raised me to be strong and to stand ten toes down on what I believe. To hold my ground,” she began.
She went on to recall how actor Rita Morena, her co-star in her first film West Side Story, nudged her “towards the light with infinite wisdom” on set. As her career went on, she worked with Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, Viola Davis, Jenifer Lewis and Nicole Kidman — “women who have championed other women effortlessly throughout their careers,” she said.
“These are my pioneers — the women who made me who I am not only as a performer, but also as a person merely existing in this world,” she concluded. “I love them all so very much, and wouldn’t be standing here without their love, guidance, and encouragement.”
Roll on WOTY26!
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
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