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Aly Raisman and Paulina Porizkova Express Gratitude For Being Named ‘USA Today’ Women of the Year

The pair were honored for their respective dedications to making a difference each day.

Martha Zaytoun

Aly Raisman and Paulina Porizkova

Aly Raisman and Paulina Porizkova.

USA Today has named five women to its annual Women of the Year list. Each and every choice is as deserving as the next, but there were two names that caught our particular attention: Aly Raisman and Paulina Porizkova.

The two incredible women (and former SI Swimsuit models) were more than deserving of the immense honor, which highlights women who “make a difference every day,” the publication wrote on Instagram.

They both took to their own accounts on the platform to express gratitude for the honor.

“Can’t believe I’m one of @usatoday WOMEN OF THE YEAR,” Raisman wrote. “Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I am in awe of the honorees who were recognized for their hard work and passion. Thank you to all of you who do the amazing and incredible work every single day. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me. This takes a village and I am so grateful.”

For Porizkova, being named among such an incredible group of women was an honor—and one that she wasn’t totally expecting. But she took it in stride all the same.

“I’ll stomp my feet and shout and make waves. For myself and for all the incredible women coming into their fab fifties and sexy sixties and beyond. But also for the younger generations. Look at those old broads! Aren’t they cool? Arent they confident? Isn’t being one of them - one day- something to look forward to?” she said of her own achievements. “Thank you so much @usatoday and @gannettco for the honor, mine and all the other amazing women you have selected! Keep the spotlight on us. We deserve it.”

Neither of these choices strike us as surprising—they really are the most inspiring women. And we have no doubt they will continue to be just that.

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Martha Zaytoun

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a Lifestyle & Trending News writer for SI Swimsuit. Before joining the team, Martha worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Martha loves to watercolor and oil paint, run or water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.