From Reese Witherspoon's takedown of Hollywood agesim and sexism to Caitlyn Jenner's powerful speech, the vibe was straight-up inspirational at Carnegie Hall this past Monday evening. Glamour's Women of the Year Awards honored the best and the brightest at their 25th annual event — and we were lucky enough to speak with a few of this year's crop of honorees.
Elisabeth Moss, presenter
What's the hardest or best part about being a woman?
I would say the hardest is being strong and being tough and asking for what you want and what you need while not being sort of labeled as a bitch, which is tough to do.
What was the moment that you felt most proud to be a woman in 2015?I have to say, honestly, and I’m not just saying this because I’m here. But standing up there and being able to watch Cecile accept that award. I’ve been a big fan of hers and Planned Parenthood since I was in my early twenties in New York. It’s been a part of my life, so to be able to be a part of her journey for me was extreme honor.
Viola Davis, presenter
What's the hardest or best part about being a woman?
The hardest part about being a woman is being underestimated. I would think that that's the hardest.
The best part of being a woman is you have an endless, endless supply of love and compassion.
What was the moment that you felt most proud to be a woman in 2015?
The moment that I felt most proud to be a woman is moments that I experience all the time like when my daughter says, "Mommy you're the best."
Judith Light, presenter
What's the hardest or best part about being a woman?
I think probably the hardest thing about — and it's not just being a woman, it's about being a human being — is to always maintain grace and centeredness no matter how difficult the circumstances are. And to always remember that it's important to be of service and to always be elevating any situation that we're in. I think we carry that grace within us, and we as women know about service and I think it's always a real balance to make sure that we're taking care of ourselves, as well as of giving to others.
I would say the most powerful moment for me of 2015 was within the context of the show I'm doing for Amazon Prime, called Transparent. When we all heard that Caitlyn Jenner was coming out, it was probably one of the most inspirational moments that I have ever experienced being a woman. To watch someone this courageous and brave and authentic that is a model not only to the Transgender community and the LGBTQ community m but also to the rest of the world of what it means to be an authentic, courageous human being who is willing to live their truth. It was a very, very powerful moment.
Caitlyn Jenner, honoree
What's the hardest or best part about being a woman?
The hardest part about being a woman is figuring out what to wear. It’s always that way; I never thought it would come to this. I had really no sense of style. Everyone around me in my family had the sense of style — I learned as much as I possibly could.
But, it’s more than that. I’m kind of at this point in my life where I’m trying to figure this womanhood thing out. It is more than hair, makeup, clothes, all that kind of stuff. There’s an element here, that I’m still kind of searching for. And I think that’ll take a while. Because I think as far as gender, we’re all on a journey. We’re all learning and growing about ourselves. And I feel the same way.
What was the moment that you felt most proud to be a woman in 2015?
Over the last six months it’s really been a progression. I have found that women have so much unleashed power that they don’t really utilize because they don’t have confidence in themselves about who they are, and what they can do. I have always actually been with and attracted to very strong women, and I think I’ve learned a lot from them.
The power of the woman has just not even been unleashed around the world. I think that’s to come, but I think that’s gonna come from confidence as these women grow up and get in better positions of authority — I think that will come. So, I am SO glad to be on this team and help it along!