Inside Glamour's 2023 Women Of The Year Awards

Next up, actor Chloë Grace Moretz presented her mentor, Selma Blair, with the WOTY Daring to Disrupt award—the duo first met when Blair played Moretz's onscreen mother in 2008. While accepting her award, Blair spoke of her disability journey and the women within her community who have uplifted her along the way. "Women have always been the people who have changed me. And when there is a woman that takes the time to be my mentor or teach me something, those have been life lessons.I realize more and more that this connectedness is what saves us," Blair told Vogue, wearing an Isaac Mizrahi dress and custom embroidered sweater with the names of women who inspire her. "We can wear our hearts on our sleeves or our sweaters to give deference to the people who have changed us. These women came before me in disability rights, including Judy Heumann. She started the ADA and organized everything for the sit-ins and the rehabilitation acts. All the other people on this sweater have gathered so much strength, hope, and experience from her; they've taught me and welcomed me."

Next, designer Aurora James presented model and trans activist Geena Rocero with her WOTY award. "I was someone who for many years was living stealth where nobody knew I was trans. When I finally shared my story with the world, I knew that it represented something bigger to my community, and it was my way to honor the trans community in the Philippines who have always supported me. Speaking about issues that concern my community is my sense of purpose," Rocero told Vogue. The third presenter, Dorothea Bongiovi, presented her soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Millie Bobby Brown, with her WOTY award, listing the actor's many accomplishments at a young age and describings her as wickedly fun. Brown spoke of gratitude to her family for encouraging her acting dreams, overcoming rejection, and never allowing others to box her in.

Next, two-thirds of the lively famous friendship trio, producer Ali Wentworth and actor Mariska Hargitay, presented the WOTY award to their best friend, Brooke Shields. During her acceptance speech, Shields expressed how she had finally learned to love herself and value her individual worth. "I always share with my daughters the importance of not losing sight of themselves—don't give [pieces of yourself] away to be liked, to be accepted, or to be anything other than who you are," Shields told Vogue, sharing her advice for young women. "Hold onto who you are. Hold the people in your life you love. Hold the important women in your life close to you because they will be there for you. I don't think I knew that as a child."

As the awards ended, attendees eagerly awaited the final two honorees. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton presented the WOTY award for their family friend and campaign supporter, America Ferrera. The Barbie star spoke of Secretary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton as sources of inspiration in overcoming obstacles. Ferrera also paid homage to one of her guests, Christy Haubegger, the creator of Latina Magazine, who inspired her from a young age by creating a platform for the Latinx community.

Finally, actor Taraji P. Henson presented the WOTY award to Mary J. Blige, speaking on the three decades worth of accomplishments the iconic musician and actor has compiled, including 9 Grammy awards, an Emmy, and Oscar nominations. Henson recalled hearing Blige for the first time in the '90s and seeing someone like herself represented in media. After a surprise compilation performance of Blige's greatest hits by the Harlem Choir, the iconic songstress took to the stage, speaking on finding yourself and overcoming setbacks, stating, "Failure means nothing. It's only information to do better the next time around."

As the 2023 Women of the Year Awards concluded, partygoers rallied to continue the evening's festivities at Ludlow House. The chic after-party hosted by Glamour featured a live DJ set by Domo Wells.