Award to 9/11 hero returned after Caitlyn Jenner receives same award
The husband of NYPD officer Moira Smith, who died trying to save others on September 11, 2001, is angry. James Smith returned an award given posthumously to his wife by Glamour Magazine a month after her death because the same award was given to Caitlyn Jenner last week. Details, including the letter sent by Mr. Smith, are below.
James Smith told The Post he yanked the award off the shelf in his Long Island home dedicated to his wife, Moira, and FedExed it back to the magazine.
Moira, who died at the age of 38 after rushing into the south tower, was honored by the magazine a month after her death.
“We were proud to honor his wife . . . in 2001, and we stand by our decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner,” a Glamour spokeswoman said on Saturday. “Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards recognize women with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.”
Here’s the letter from James Smith to Glamour Magazine:
Cindi Leive
Glamour Magazine
Conde Nast
1 World Trade Center
New York, NY10007Dear Ms.Leive,
On October 29th, 2001 I was honored to accept the Glamour Magazine “Woman of the Year Award” posthumously given to my wife, Police Officer Moira Smith. Moira was killed on September 11th, 2001 while rescuing thousands from the World Trade Center. EMT Yamel Merino was also posthumously honored that evening for her heroism.
I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce Jenner “Woman of the Year”. I find it insulting to Moira Smith’s memory, and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award. Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man? At a time when we have women in the armed forces fighting and dying for our country, heroic doctors fighting deadly diseases, women police officers and firefighters putting their lives on the line for total strangers, brave women overcoming life threatening diseases…the list of possibilities goes on…is this the best you could do?
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.Sincerely,
James J Smith.
