The Female First Awards 2018: Moment of the Year

22 December 2018

We've reached the penultimate day of our inaugural Female First Awards, and today will be taking a look back at some of the biggest moments of the past 12 months. Whether that means justice being served to those who have had it coming for some time, huge leaps forward for equality, or just some feel-good history, we've had a very interesting year! Here are our five nominees and winner for Moment of the Year 2018!

Nominee: Bill Cosby's retrial and imprisonment

Bill Cosby was sent to prison / Photo Credit: NYWTWJ/FAMOUS

Bill Cosby has in the past been described as "America's Dad", but all of that came crashing down when he was accused by multiple women of sexual assault. Those accusations actually date all the way back to 2004, but after he settled a civil lawsuit with Andrea Constand in 2006, the discussions surrounding his attitude towards the opposite sex quickly disappeared.

Cut to October 16, 2014. Comedian Hannibal Buress was performing in Philadelphia (Cosby's hometown), and mocked the actor's public persona, calling him a rapist in front of the crowd. The routine quickly went viral, and fresh accusations from more women began to boil to the surface.

This year, a retrial on charges of sexual assault was put into motion, before the star was then convicted in April on three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault. Cosby's sentencing hearing then started in September, and just a day later the judge on the case sentenced Cosby to three to 10 years in state prison, describing him as a "sexually violent predator".

Ah, justice.

Nominee: WWE host their first ever all-female pay-per-view

WWE's female Superstars made history this year

It's been a long-time coming, but World Wrestling Entertainment finally put their money where their mouth is when it comes to the women's evolution within their company, hosting their first-ever all-female pay-per-view.

The event saw stars of the modern day, including Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella do battle, as well as returning legends such as Trish Stratus and Lita make a special return to the ring. It was without a doubt one of the best pay-per-views WWE has put on in the past few years, and so I just hope it's going to be more than a one-off.

Each of the female Superstars involved proved that they have a lot to give when they're granted the time to create some special matches.

Nominee: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot

Finally, the Royal Family has welcomed in a person of colour into the fold! Meghan Markle made one of the most beautiful brides on the planet on the day of her wedding, and seeing her and her now-husband Prince Harry giggle at one another in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

This step forward for the monarchy has been something we've been waiting for, for some time. Let's just hope that some of the media who are trying to paint Meghan as a "diva" or "brat" will soon stop hammering her with such negativity, and let the couple enjoy their marriage in peace.

Nominee: Oprah Winfrey's Golden Globes speech

Oprah made a speech at this year's Golden Globes which will be studied and repeated for centuries to come. It was so good, that many thought she was beginning a bid for the Oval Office and a Presidential run in 2020! Whilst the host has said this isn't something that's going to happen (yet), the speech is still one of the most rousing and incredible moments not just of this year, but all-time.

No matter how many times you listen, Oprah's words give you goosebumps. It concludes with the passion for a "new day" that has finally dawned, "when nobody ever has to say 'me too' again." Just typing out those words gives me shivers.

Nominee: Harvey Weinstein's arrest

Once one of the most celebrated movie moguls on the planet, Harvey Weinstein has had quite the fall from grace. Accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct and assault, he is - if guilty of what they say he is guilty of - the embodiment of everything no man should ever be, and no woman should ever have to deal with.

In May, Weinstein was charged with rape, a criminal sex act, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct for cases involving two women. This means that, by the time his trial is over, he could be looking at spending up to 25 years in prison.

Over 75 women around the world have accused Weinstein of various wrongdoings, but many of them are too old to make their way into a court of law. Prosecutors were however able to bring a case against Weinstein following accusations from actor Lucia Evans, who said she was forced to perform a sex act on the millionaire in 2004.

With his trial now underway, it's going to be very interesting to see what happens next with Weinstein.

This is not just a tale of one man, however. Once the accusations against Weinstein made their way into the press, the floodgates truly opened, and women started to use the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, amongst others, to share their stories of abuse. That is the good to come from this whole tragic mess. Let's hope that times truly are changing.