Düzen Tekkal, Nina Chuba and Valentina Sampaio receive GLAMOR Women of the Year Awards
At theIt's all about one thing: female empowerment. And these three women empower other women in their areas, help to break down stigmas, stand up for people who are overlooked and discriminated against, and work for a better future. That's why we're pleased to recognize three special women as game changers this year:
We honor her commitment as a human rights activist who advocates for equal rights for women and minorities worldwideDuzen Tekkalals “Human Rights Activist”.Nina Helpreceives the award as “National Music Act” for her stellar career and commitment to mental health empowerment. Trans* modelValentina Sampaio,who campaigns for the visibility of trans* people and equality, is honored as “Model of the Year”.
Valentina Sampaio receives the award for “Model of the Year”
At least since her walk on the first oneAfter six years we know her: Valentina Sampaio, Brazilian model, actress and activist. The 27-year-old is above all a series of “firsts”: in 2017 she was the first to grace itModel the cover of the FrenchVogue. In 2019, she became the first trans model to appear in a Victoria's Secret campaign. In 2020 she was the first trans* model on the pages ofSports Illustrated. In mid-October she was one of the first trans* women to walk in the Victoria's Secret fashion show.
The model didn't have an easy journey. She comes from a small fishing village in the north of Brazil - and had no role models or support when it came to herwent. At the beginning of her modeling career, she was repeatedly fired from her jobs when clients found out that she was trans*. Now Valentina is at a completely different point in her career, she feels safe and at ease in the modeling industry and has already worked with renowned brands such as L'Oréal and Dior.
However, since she knows that other trans* people don't have it as easy as she does, she is also an activist for the rights of trans* people and stands up for thema. She sees herself as a role model for young trans* people and offers them hope. In 2021 she was a guest judge on the casting showand showed the models everything she has learned in the industry.
For her role as a pioneer for greater diversity and inclusion, GLAMOR will award her “Model of the Year” at this year’s awards.
Düzen Tekkal receives the award for “Human Rights Activist”
She then opens her mouth when others are still or have been silent for a long time:is a human rights activist, journalist and author and advocates for equal rights for women and minorities worldwide and gives them a voice. In 2023 she published the book “The Courageous Women of Iran” together with Natalie Amiri. We are not afraid!”, in which women from and in Iran tell their stories and explain why they stand against the mullahs and risk their lives.
It is important to her to give women a community and a place where their voices are heard and they can exchange ideas. Together with her siblings, the activist of Kurdish-Yezidi descent founded the human rights organization “HÁWAR.help” in 2015, which campaigns for women and minority rights.
Düzen Tekkal's commitment is closely linked to her life story. The 46-year-old activist has produced several award-winning documentaries, including “Háwar – My Journey into Genocide,” which focuses on the genocide of the Yazidis, and has published several books in which she shares her experiences and insights. She received the Federal Cross of Merit in 2021 for her commitment.
Düzen Tekkal was already at the first award ceremonyas a guest speaker on site. She gave a powerful speech about women working together and how we can create a better future together.
This year, Düzen Tekkal will not only be on stage as a guest speaker, but will also be honored by GLAMOR as a “Human Rights Activist”.
Nina Chuba receives the award for “National Music Act”
With her number 1 hit “Wildberry Lillet”.In 2022 she made her breakthrough to the top of the charts overnight, and since then the singer has been inspiring across generations with her music. Because it's not just Gen Z who is impressed by their casual sound, but also Millennials, who know them from their childhood, and Gen Alpha, who isn't yet old enough for a “Wildberry Lillet”, celebrate their songs. Even Gen X and Boomers hear their songs on the radio and nod approvingly to the beat.
Her album “Glas” made it to number one in the German album charts at the beginning of 2023. And since then she has been playing at the biggest festivals in Germany, such as the Deichbrand, the Reeperbahn Festival and the Lollapalooza Festival. In 2025, the 26-year-old pop singer will go on a big arena tour.
But some will know Nina Chuba from a completely different environment: in 2005, at the age of just seven, she appeared in front of the camera for the first time, as a little investigator in the children's series “Die Pfefferkörner”. In 2018 she was seen in “Das Traumschiff” on ZDF, and in 2024 you could see her in the eighth season of “Who steals the show from me?” see. There she won against Joko Winterscheidt, podcaster Tommi Schmitt and comedian Kurt Krömer and was allowed to moderate the final in October 2024.
The rapper also shines in her texts and on social mediaand depression. In “Not Alone” she shares the story of a good friend who is undersuffers. She presents herself authentically on Instagram and TikTok and also uses her reach to talk about mental health and share her experiences.
For GLAMOR, the musician represents a new, approachable generation of pop stars. That's why she is honored as a “National Music Act”.
