The Glamour Women of the Year Awards are an annual whos who of women who inspire, provoke change and, in the case of this years firsts honorees, have led the way for other women to succeed.

Five of these women shared the stage in Brooklyn on Monday night in an emotional showing of perseverance and force. They were each honored for contributions and achievements they were the first to make.

Those honored were Ibtihaj Muhammad , the first Muslim American woman to represent the U.S. during the Olympics competing in a hijab, Sarah Weddington , who represented Jane Roe in the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that legalized abortions, Katie Couric , the first solo female anchor of a nightly news program, Laverne Cox , the first transgender woman to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy for an acting role, and Ruby Bridges , who became the first black student to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans.