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USA Today has published its “Women of the Year” list.
Americans immediately noticed that one of the honorees is a biological male. Rachel Levine, formerly Richard, was appointed by Joe Biden as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health.
This honor by USA Today is “a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact.”
Critics have slammed this decision as part of the Left’s war on women. For most of Levine’s life, Levine was identified as male until transitioning in 2011 at age 54. Prior to transitioning, Levine had two children with Levine’s ex-wife, Martha Peaslee Levine.
In response, Levine has accused critics of transphobia.
Biden’s White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice congratulated “trailblazing” Levine on receiving the honor:
Congratulations to the trailblazing @HHS_ASH Admiral Rachel Levine on being named one of @USATODAY’s Women of the Year. Your leadership during this pandemic has been vital. https://t.co/yiaFxyTGss
— Susan Rice (@AmbRice46) March 14, 2022
“Throughout my career, I have focused on the intersection between medical, mental and behavioral health,” Levine stated.
“And as your ASH, I will continue that focus and support policy initiatives to improve Americans’ physical and mental well-being.”
Here’s what USA Today published about Levine:
Levine, 64, a trained pediatrician, became the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender official last March when the Senate confirmed her as assistant secretary of health. Levine has spent her professional life in medicine – as an academic, a clinical researcher, a primary care physician and as Pennsylvania’s physical general and secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health – but she admits her current role has proven to be the most challenging.
Beyond the pandemic, Levine said she is concerned about the challenges women and girls face related to body image. She ran an eating disorder program at Penn State University and was struck by the pressures of social media related to appearance.
“We need to be welcoming and celebratory for women of all aspects, of all sizes and shapes,” she said. “And we have to work towards that compassion for all women and not put such an emphasis on thinness and appearance. I think that we need to work as a culture in the United States, but also globally, to be more compassionate and more accepting of girls and women, no matter what their size and shape.”
