Rihanna, Obama among winners

Reuters

HOT PAIR: Andie MacDowell and her daughter Rainey MacDowell arrive for the 2009 Glamour Women of the Year awards in New York.

Reuters

TOP WOMAN: Musician Rihanna arrives at the award show where she joined US first lady Michelle Obama and nine others honored as 'Women of the Year'.

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Rihanna joined US first lady Michelle Obama, British fashion designer Stella McCartney and nine others on Monday to be honored as "Women of the Year" after the R&B singer took a public stand on domestic violence.

The annual Women of the Year Awards, published by Glamour Magazine for the past 20 years and sponsored by L'Oreal, pay tribute to women who have made major contributions to entertainment, business, sport, fashion, science and politics.

Barbados-born Rihanna, 21, whose hit songs include "Umbrella" and "Disturbia", joined the list after taking a public stand on domestic violence and urging other women to follow her lead after being beaten by her ex-boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.

Brown, who was one of the fastest rising R&B artists in the United States before the attack in February, was sentenced to five years probation and community service in August and has publicly apologized.

Michelle Obama received an award of special recognition for bringing the importance of mentoring to the forefront.

"She has demonstrated a commitment to helping the next generation of girls expand their horizons by providing them with the information and inspiration to envision themselves as the leaders of tomorrow," the magazine said in a statement.

Designer Stella McCartney was praised for her designs and also as a life-long vegetarian and animal rights activist who refuses to work with leather or fur, instead using man-made materials.

Tennis champion Serena Williams was honored for using her Serena Williams Foundation to give grants to U.S. college students and recently opening a secondary school in Kenya.

Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were honored after making headlines earlier this year when they were arrested and imprisoned while reporting on the plight of North Korean women who cross into China to escape starvation.

Also among the honorees were writer, educator and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, pediatrician Jane Aronson who is credited with bringing the plight of orphans to the world's attention through her Worldwide Orphans Foundation, and Marissa Mayer, who helped make Google the number-one search engine.

Comedian Amy Poehler also made the list, cited as an inspiration for young girls.

Susan Rice, the first female African-American U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was praised for putting women's needs at the forefront of the American agenda at the U.N. while Maria Shriver, California's first lady, was credited for redefining her role into a platform for change and leadership for women.

The winners, featured in the December issue of Glamour magazine on newsstands from November 10, were picked by an advisory board made up of past honorees ranging from Jennifer Lopez to Nora Ephron to Katie Couric.

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Under   #8   11:23 am Nov 11 2009

Rihanna has an album out in a week or two. I dont know whether to feel sorry for her being thrust into the spotlight at what must be a difficult time for her... Or be digusted that she's making a stand against domestic violence for financial gain.

Poo Ben   #7   10:25 am Nov 11 2009

omg Rihanna totally deserves it. she has shown the way for young women to stand up and know whats best to do when in a situation like herself was in.

Biscuit   #6   09:53 am Nov 11 2009

Ben, the only reason to ask for Chris Brown's "side of the story" is if you're thinking of somehow arguing that Rihanna provoked him. Newsflash: no matter what anyone says to you, it is your responsibility not to hit them. There is no excuse for domestic violence - or for victim blaming.

fm   #5   09:36 am Nov 11 2009

That is an awful thing to say 1,2 and 3. The point is that Rihanna has gotten out and is now advocating young women to get out of violent situations. You all have obviously never yourselves or had family members subjected to domestic violence. You should be ashamed of yourselves! Regardless of whether she left after the first second of 20th time, she has left and that is a fantastic example for young women in a very difficult situation

A   #4   09:29 am Nov 11 2009

Ben - seriously - what story could that be, she was being a bit lippy!?! - He beat her up end of story. And Quentin - whats wrong with a women being loose - its fine for men but not women! Are you a card holder for the Taliban? Congrats to all these women who are making the world a better place. They are all an inspiration.

Quentin   #3   08:58 am Nov 11 2009

You are joking right??? A loose woman like Rihanna with no morals....fantastic role model for all tweens?....woman of the year....you are joking. It's not April 1 yet though, so someone stuffed up and broke the story a bit early from the archives. Nobody's that easily fooled but good try

Ben   #2   08:55 am Nov 11 2009

What a joke! Although Chris Brown has a violence problem and deserves all he gets, have we heard his side of the story???

lili   #1   08:47 am Nov 11 2009

rihanna didnt really have a choice she had to stand up for domestic violence because the whole chris brown beating was so public!i wonder how many times he slapped her around before that night?because i bet she kept that hush hush and if she had her way she would of kept the car bashing a secret too!I dont think she deserves woman of the year!But i do think more people need to stand up to domestic violence!especially in NZ!

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