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Glamour names Bono among 'Women of the Year'

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2 and co-founder of ONE, a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization, testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill, April 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on causes and consequences of violent extremism, and the role of foreign assistance. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2 and co-founder of ONE, a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization, testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill, April 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. The hearing focused on causes and consequences of violent extremism, and the role of foreign assistance. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
By Brianna Chambers
Nov 3, 2016

Glamour released the magazine's "Women of the Year" list Tuesday.

Model Ashley Graham, Gwen Stefani, Zendaya, Simone Biles and Christine Lagarde -- the first female finance minister of France -- are among the women included on the list.

But another award recipient has some women criticizing the magazine's choice.

U2 frontman Bono was named Glamour's first "Man of the Year."

"For the first time, the awards also honor a man," the magazine wrote. "For years our Women of the Year Advisory Board -- made up of past winners plus our editors -- has put the kibosh on naming a Man of the Year on the grounds that men aren't exactly hurting for awards in this world and that here at 'Glamour' the tribe we're into celebrating is female. But these days most women want men -- no, need men -- in our tribe."

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The magazine cited the musician's advocacy work as notable accomplishments considered when giving the award and highlighted the creation of Poverty Is Sexist, a campaign specifically aimed at helping the world's poorest women.
According to Glamour, "The campaign’s first order of business (is) to document a clear link between poverty and gender and send that data to every president and prime minister in the world. That report motivated leaders to donate an additional $13 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, which will help save the lives of millions of women and babies."
The magazine said that "by establishing Poverty Is Sexist, Bono is making it clear that powerful men can, and should, take on these deep-rooted issues."

But some women, who pointed out the obvious fact that Bono isn't a woman, were upset about the award.

"Glamour naming Bono Woman of the Year is just another example of a man getting a job despite there being women more qualified to do it," one Twitter user wrote. 

"Does Glamour Magazine know giving Bono the Woman of the Year award for trying to undo patriarchy undercuts the entire point of the award?" another user wrote. 

Melinda Gates, a Woman of the Year recipient and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, supported the award.

"(Bono is) one of the most outspoken and effective advocates for women and girls I know ... As an activist, he’s using those skills to get the world talking about the fact that ending extreme poverty begins with empowering women and girls."

CNN's Christiane Amanpour also praised the magazine's decision.

"I'm on Glamour's side. I think Bono is the perfect choice for this first-time honor because, now 56, he's been trying to do good for as long as he's been making music," she said.

In an article written for Glamour, Amanpour said Bono told her he "sure he didn't deserve it" but is "grateful." He also said men are "largely responsible for the problem, so we have to be involved in the solutions."

"There are so many men who really are doing wonderful things for women these days," said Cindi Leive, Glamour's edior-in-chief. "Some men get it and Bono is one of those guys."

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Brianna Chambers

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