A month after unveiling her new female side to the world, 65 year-old Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce) has been listed among the world’s 10 most influential women. BBC has released its Woman’s Hour Power List of Top 10 Influencers and the transgender is one of them, at number 7.
After her shocking revelation, the former Olympian gold medalist received many negative comments; especially the one where she was been honored with the ESPN bravery award.
Though she received many support from the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community, many people around the world voiced their opinions as to why Caitlyn Jenner isn’t ‘deserving’ of a bravery award she is to receive from ESPN in light of her gender transition.
NBC sportscaster described the move as a ‘crass exploitation play’ by the network and suggested that somebody ‘actively involved in sports’ should get it instead.
Many believe that the award should be given to people who have survived near death experiences; people who have fought against all odds to be survivors in life threating situations. Soldiers who lost their arms or legs while fighting for their country; patients who have fought and defeated cancer; not a man who is selfish enough to finally realize after 65 years that he is supposed to live his life as a woman.
The list released by BBC caused quite a controversy on social media because of Caitlyn Jenner’s inclusion but speaking on it, Daily Mail columnist and Judge Sarah Vine acknowledged it was controversial, for several reasons.
The list, topped by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon identifies women who have had an “exceptionally large impact”.
“Initially many of felt that Kim Kardashian would be on the list, – not because any of us felt any particular admiration for the woman, but simply because her influence on millions of women worldwide is undeniable. But then the Caitlyn Jenner story broke and I in particular felt that she trumped all others in the celebrity stakes. I understand why someone like Jenner might make people feel uncomfortable; but she is a human being like the rest of us and should not be denied the same rights – or indeed respect – as those who live more conventional lives. As to her influence, it can only be to the good if a wider audience can learn to understand her experience.”
See the list below:
Woman’s Hour Power List 2015 – Top 10 influencers
- Nicola Sturgeon – leader of the SNP
- Anna Wintour – editor-in-chief of American Vogue
- Angelina Jolie – actor, director and humanitarian ambassador
- Katharine Viner – editor of The Guardian
- Camilla Cavendish – director of Downing Street Policy Unit
- Sia – singer, songwriter and music video director
- Caitlyn Jenner – high profile trans woman
- Karen Blackett, CEO, MediaCom UK
- Zanny Minton Beddoes – editor-in-chief of The Economist
- Sara Khan – co-founder of Inspire
Also take a look at the past winners of the ESPN Award winners below:
PAST COURAGE AWARD WINNERS CAITLYN JENNER IS SET TO JOIN
ESPN has given its Arthur Ashe Courage Award, named after a tennis player who died of AIDS-related pneumonia, to figures ranging from professional sportsmen to relative unknowns – and even a world leader:
2014: Michael Sam, the first openly gay NFL player, was given the award last year. The former St Louis Ram now plays in the Canadian league.
2013: Robin Roberts, a Good Morning America host who worked at ESPN for 15 years, received the 2013 award after her battles with breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood condition.
2012: Pat Summitt, a basketball coach at the University of Tennessee with more NCAA wins to her name than any other coach, was given the award after her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
2011: Dewey Bozella, who spent most of his adult life in prison after being wrongly convicted of murder, but found solace and stability in boxing, won the award four years ago.
2010: The family of Ed Thomas, football coach at an Iowa high school, accepted the award after he was murder by a mentally ill former player in the school locker room.
2009: Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa, won the award for the way he used the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a vehicle for healing racial divides in his country.
Photo credit: getty images
