It's safe to say GLAMOUR's Women of the Year awards, in partnership with Samsung, are back. For the event's 16th anniversary, an array of inspiring women – including the likes of Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Erivo, and Nicola Coughlan – were honoured for their game-changing contributions to their respective industries.
Taking place at the Outernet in central London, the ceremony began with a speech by none other than Deborah Joseph, European Editorial Director at GLAMOUR, who noted, “Celebrating women who make incredible differences is one of the best parts of leading GLAMOUR in Europe. I’m so excited for Women of the Year to put this centre stage.”
As the night continued – and the winners were announced – we were honoured to hear some incredible speeches that prioritised female empowerment, from Anne-Marie, winner of GLAMOUR's Musician of the Year award, reading a poem that she wrote to her younger self, to Munroe Bergdorf, winner of GLAMOUR and UOMA Beauty's Beauty Gamechanger of the Year award, powerfully calling out Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, for his stance on transgender rights.
Honouring the women who define the moment.
Here's our round-up of the most powerful speeches from GLAMOUR's Women of the Year awards in partnership with Samsung:
Kim Cattrall: 'This is what happens when you go where you're celebrated and not where you're tolerated'
GLAMOUR's Screen Icon opened her winning speech, saying, “It's so good to be home. This is what happens when you go where you're celebrated and not where you're tolerated.”
She continued, “I have been an actor, working in film, television and theatre for over 50 friggin' years. I've played senators, queens, presidents, trailer park mums, and vampires. I started as a young ingenue, now I'm the senior actor on the set… But I can still rock this dress.”
“Representation is validation. If people find empowerment in any character that I have helped to create, then my job has been successful. In these uncertain times – as my adopted country is deciding its future as we speak – we need strong female role models. As an actor and now a tough-ass producer, I am eager and committed to sharing those female stories. I hope you'll all be watching and cheering us on.”
Charithra Chandran: ‘We as women know how hard it is – we have to fight and work for everything we have, whether that is equal pay, equal work or body autonomy’
Taking home the Samsung Rising Star award, the Bridgerton star noted, “To be in a room of such a beautifully diverse group of people is incredibly soul-nourishing and almost certainly pisses off our current home secretary, health secretary and the whole government.”
She then opened up about imposter syndrome, saying, “It really sort of begs the question "What am I doing here? Your guess is as good as mine. To be honest, for a moment of real honesty, when GLAMOUR wanted to honour me with this award, my first feeling was of embarrassment actually because I felt undeserving. I felt like an imposter. I spoke to my girlfriends about this and within a few minutes, I realised that the feeling of being unworthy of one's accomplishments is tragically a universal experience for women.
"We are often made to feel that we are lucky to have access to certain spaces. That we have achieved things because of positive discrimination, a tickbox exercise. It is to shrink us; to stop us asking for more and demanding better. It certainly kept me insecure.
“We as women know how hard it is – we have to fight and work for everything we have, whether that is equal pay, equal work or body autonomy. As I speak to you in real-time, I am sick of that. I don't want it anymore. I reject that. Me accepting this award is me rejecting that. Me acknowledging that I have worked so hard. I have sacrificed so much, as we all have to be in this room. I am not going to let society take this achievement from me. I encourage every woman out there to do the same. Have pride in everything that you do and everything that you are… because you are so deserving."
Munroe Bergdorf: ‘Beauty can be found in the courage to be ourselves’
GLAMOUR's Beauty Gamechanger of the Year, in partnership with UOMA Beauty, began her acceptance speech, “When I first started in the fashion industry, I struggled to find women who I could see myself. Transgender inclusion, racial diversity, and sexuality weren't given the same spotlight that they are now. Seeing that change over the past decade has been so, so beautiful.”
She continued, "To me, beauty can be found in the courage to be ourselves, in holding space for others to be themselves, through the communities we create by having conversations that stamp out shame and allow us to feel proud of ourselves and each other.
"Beauty is not in the exclusive enforcement of standards of trends: we are not trends, we are not content. We are more than likes and views, we are complex, layered, nuanced individuals – our beauty is in that: our individuality.
"I'm so proud to work in one of the only industries in the world where women and gay men are often at the helm in decision-making roles – we often forget how unique and beautiful that is.
"Nevertheless, this progress is against a backdrop of increasing political turmoil, divisiveness, and uncertainty. The current Conservative Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, just last week disclosed that he intends to remove transgender rights from the 2010 Equality Act. We cannot allow this to happen. This would potentially make it legal for businesses to fire employees for being trans, and it would make it legal to discriminate against us in hospitals, prisons, refuges, and bathrooms.
"It's unbelievable to me that in this time of crisis after crisis, this government is on the verge of creating a new one. When transgender people are already navigating a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, where it takes at least five years to get a first appointment. We're facing escalating hate crimes, unemployment, homelessness, and widespread plummeting mental health – as a result of a hostile media environment intent on alienating us as part of a culture war supported by our own government and their donors.
“We really need you to fight with us. This is not a fight that we can fight on our own.”
Munroe finished with a powerful plea to any queer, transgender people watching the ceremony, saying, “Please know that we see you, we hear you. Stay with us. Your life matters. And this world is better with you in it.”
Anne-Marie: 'Stand tall, speak loud, and I promise you'll be proud'
GLAMOUR's Musician of the Year delivered her acceptance speech in the form of a poem to her younger self. It read:
"Dear little Anne-Marie, the world may be scary and makes you anxious, and at times you don't want to come outside. There will be people in life that smile while twisting a knife, there'll be days filled with joy, and days filled with tears all because you fell in love with the wrong boys.
"At times it seems like no one can hear, but just know that one day, you'll be here. There'll be disappointments, sleepless nights, and all-around days not knowing what to do with your life. People will come, and people will go, but stay true to yourself. Be the thorn for the rose. School will be weird, they'll call you odd, but at least one thing's clear, I ain't got a cheesy knob.
“One day, you'll travel the world, and people will actually like your music, believe it or not. You'll learn that your voice that was once unheard will be heard by those who need it, just as you did. And remember that every day you are beautiful, even though you don't feel it. When you get here, I'll be somewhere else writing you another sh*t letter. So take the time to breathe and be present in every moment along the journey. Stand tall, speak loud, and I promise you'll be proud.”
Samira Wiley: 'I need to remember every day that I'm a big-case ‘G’'
“I'ma look at his every time I think I'm a lowercase ‘g’,” Samira joked as she accepted the award for GLAMOUR's Theatre Actor of the Year.
She continued, “When I was little, I wanted to be a theatre actor. I wanted to be on Broadway, I wanted to be performing at the National Theatre – and there were not too many people who believed in me. The power of someone looking in your eyes and telling you, ‘I see you, I believe in you, you are enough, you are deserving of love' is so powerful.”
“When I was in college, I had one person who said that to me. And I want to be able to do that for so many young people who don't have that.”
Closing her speech, she noted, "My wife [Lauren Morelli] is here with me tonight. Our baby – we have an 18-month-old – is also here in London with us. And all of that comes from one teacher when I was about 18 years old, who said, ‘I see you' – in not as many words.
“To see what is happening in this country, of what your new Prime Minister is wanting to do – the things that he is signing into law. I am telling you right now – even being able to look at all these beautiful women's faces – that I feel seen by you. And I see you. And to be able to do that for some young person possibly – I need to remember every day that I'm a big-case ‘G’.”
Cynthia Erivo: ‘There is nothing quite like a celebration of women by women’
As she accepted her award for GLAMOUR's Performer of the Year, Cynthia Ervivo called down to her friend Lena Waithe in the audience, asking her to hand over the speech she'd written on her phone.
Once she had her speech, Cynthia began, "I wanna start by saying I'm incredibly moved by this award.
"I ran the London marathon a month ago – in case anybody doesn't know, that's 26.2 miles – I know you're thinking, why on earth would anyone do that? Well, every marathon runner knows that at some point in the 26.2 miles, you will reach an invisible wall of excruciating pain. Again, why would you do that? Hear me out…
"I hit the wall at mile 21. It felt like someone had thrown a brick at my head and, as my head was ricocheting forward, someone ranked the scruff of my neck back. All the while, I kept thinking, ‘Just keep looking forward’.
“I hear a voice yelling ‘CYNTHIA!’ – it was my younger sister holding up a sign that said, ‘Go sis, go!’ And then she yelled – like the best coach you could wish for – ‘Keep going, keep running!’"
“I love the work I do, it fills me with joy, and it's sometimes a channel for my pain […] But eventually, you hit a wall. You hit mile 21. It takes someone willing to meet you at mile 21 to tell you to keep going, keep running, to feel seen and supported.”
She finished, “There is nothing quite like a celebration of women by women. And while I can stand here and wax lyrical about my work and accomplishments, there is something far more important to express. As I stare at the sea of gorgeous faces, I'm compelled in this moment of gratitude – just in case anyone is here, at their mile 21.”
Soma Sara: ‘When survivors share their stories, it allows them a sense of catharsis, a sense of hope, and a feeling of community’
Accepting the award for GLAMOUR's Activist of the Year, Soma Sara said, “I'd love to dedicate this award to all of the volunteers and all of those who shared their stories – all the survivors who shared their stories on [Everyone's Invited].”
She continued, "Those were the voices that sparked this incredible groundswell of voices and people speaking out for the first time. When survivors share their stories, it allows them a sense of catharsis, a sense of hope, and a feeling of community. But most importantly, they know that they're not alone. That is truly life-changing and transformative in the lives of so many.
“Its truly been the privilege of a lifetime to amplify those stories and continue that work.”
Nicola Coughlan: 'I didn't know if there would be a place for me in this industry'
GLAMOUR's TV Actor of the Year opened her speech by paying tribute to her Derry Girls co-star Louisa Harland, who presented her with the award. She said, “I had the pleasure of working with Louisa for five years during Derry Girls. She's a beacon of professionalism, kindness, and talent. She's also filming her first major lead role for Disney, so I'm very grateful that she found the time to be here today.”
She continued, “When I was a little girl, I was magnetically drawn to women on screen who didn't fit the mould. I worshipped Judy Garland, I wanted to be Bette Midler in Beaches… I knew I didn't want to be an ingenue, but I didn't know if there would be a place for me in this industry. The only reason I'm standing here today is because I've been privileged enough to have had the support of women who also wanted to reflect the full breadth of women's experiences on stage and screen.”
She finished, “I wouldn't be working [if it wasn't for] casting directors like Carla Stronge and Kelly Hendry, who gave me opportunities to come into audition rooms when I was 30 years old, a time when the industry wants to tell a lot of women You’re done, There's no space for you – they created that space for me.”
Rita Ora: 'I'm so grateful to own my music now and have the ability to inspire upcoming artists'
During her acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year, Rita Ora paid homage to the female role models in her family, namely her mother and sister:
“I'd like to take this opportunity – I get emotional when I say this person's name – my mum, Vera. And the other incredible woman in my life: my sister, Elena. Without them I would not be standing here right now.”
She also spoke powerfully about how important it is for her to own the rights to her music, saying, “I'm so grateful to own my music now and have the ability to inspire upcoming artists to not always follow the wave and to know that you can own everything you put out. It's an incredible achievement to say that, especially with the way streaming is now.”
She finished her speech by saying, “We can break down boundaries. We can do TV, do fashion, do music, start your own business, be a sister, be a mother, be a grandmother – whatever it is – and still stand here and someone can come up to you and say, ‘Hey man, I grew up on a council estate too. And I can’t believe someone like you has got this chance. And that was because I had the ability to move to a beautiful country like the UK, and I don't think I would have had these opportunities where I could achieve my dream. And let me tell you, we are only beginning.”
Amelia Dimoldenberg: 'I wouldn't be where I am today without the ability to be my own exec and commission myself where no one else would'
GLAMOUR's Creator of the Year accepted her award in true comedic fashion, opening, “I started my YouTube channel in 2014 because I wanted to redefine the celebrity interview while also finding a boyfriend. And I'm proud to say I've successfully done one of those things.”
Amelia Dimoldenberg also spoke about the importance of having creative control over her work, noting, "Being a content creator means a lot of things, you have to wear many hats and spin many plates, all at the same time.
"You're the producer, the talent, the writer, the marketing team – all in one. And – most importantly – you are the one in creative control. I wouldn't be where I am today without the ability to be my own exec and commission myself where no one else would."
Nensi Dojaka: ‘The reason I do what I do, is to make women feel joy and – of course – confident’
GLAMOUR's Fashion Designer of the Year kept things short and sweet, saying, “I'm so thankful for everything and all the support I've received since I decided to start the brand. I love what I do, and I'm so lucky to be surrounded and supported by a lot of amazing women who inspire me every day.”
She continued, “The reason I do what I do, is to make women feel joy and – of course – confident.”
For more from Glamour UK's Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.
