The husband of a 9/11 hero sent back an award his wife won posthumously after Caitlyn Jenner recently received the same honor — something the widower believes is a “slap in the face” to his wife’s memory.
Moira Smith was a member of the New York Police Department who heroically led over 100 people out of the World Trade Center before the building collapsed and buried her in the rubble.
A month after her death, Smith was named Glamour magazine’s “Woman of the Year,” but now that Jenner has received the same award, Smith’s widow James said he will be returning her decoration.
(Photo: Getty Images)
“I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce Jenner ‘Woman of the Year,’” Smith wrote in a letter to the magazine’s editor-in-chief. (RELATED: Caitlyn Jenner Named ‘Woman Of The Year’)
“Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man?”
James Smith (R) and his daughter Patricia (C) remember NYPD officer Moira Smith, wife of James, mother of Patricia, as people gather at the World Trade Center site September 11, 2006 in New York City. (Photo: Stan Honda-Pool/Getty Images)
“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.” (RELATED: Critics Angry That Jenner Was Chosen As ‘Woman Of The Year’)
A spokesman for the publication told the Washington Post that they stand by their decision.
“We were proud to honor his wife…in 2001, and we stand by our decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner,” the spokesperson said. “Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards recognize women with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.” (RELATED: Caitlyn Jenner Bombarded By Protesters: ‘You Are An Insult To Women’)