Serena Williams has been honored in New York for her merits as a business woman. She was awarded the Adweek’s Brand Visionary Prize by Vogue boss Anne Wintour.
At the Wimbledon finale in mid-July, Anne Wintour, the unconventional and charismatic front woman of the Vogue fashion bible, was still sitting in Serena Willams’ box. Next to Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton – and not far from golf icon Tiger Woods. The celebrity density in “Team Serena” was enormous on this sunny Saturday afternoon.
It didn’t help the 23-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams lost the final on Church Road with 3:6, 3:6 against Angelique Kerber.
Just four months later, Anne Wintour put a smile on the American’s face when she presented her with the Broadway Award for Special Merits as a Business Woman. Wintour had received the award in 2017.
Williams has founded her own fashion line “Serena” and cooperates creatively with several world brands. The 37-year-old, who appeared with her husband Alexis Ohanian at the award ceremony in the Big Apple, was deeply moved in her acceptance speech.
“I know what it’s like to be overlooked as a woman – as a black woman,” Williams said. “But I don’t let anyone define my potential through my gender or skin color.” She called work and commitment the “cornerstones” of her success.
Anne Wintour told on stage what it was like when she first met Serena many years ago and was fascinated by her persistence and perseverance on the court. “Now at 37, she is still a tennis player with incredible stamina and strength, but also a woman and a mother – and a role model for millions of women,” Wintour stressed, saying, “With this award, we are celebrating an even more impressive achievement – becoming a woman who is much greater than her many victories.