Rihanna's Glamour Awards Acceptance Speech -- VIDEO

Rihanna is presented with “The Back-On-Top Superstar” award at Glamour Magazine‘s Women of the Year Awards at NYC’s Carnegie Hall on Monday (November 9).

“This year, we saw a different face of Rihanna,” model Iman said as she presented the 21-year-old superstar with her award. “She’s an indelible image of worldly pain and now, more than ever, I am more than impressed with her honesty and courage… She has taken her own scars and used them to create a new story of strength and awareness.”

Watch Rihanna‘s acceptance speech below –

Click inside to read Rihanna‘s acceptance speech…

Rihanna’s Glamour Awards Acceptance Speech

(wipes tear from eye) Sorry, I’m PMSing.

As usual, I decided to wear the tightest dress I could find. Shoutout to Amy!

I am shaking right now – I am so nervous – but overwhelmed and honored by this honor to be Glamour’s Woman of the Year.

I didn’t even know I had to speak, I didn’t know what kind of event it was, I didn’t know anything until a few hours ago. I had to say to [poet] Maya Angelou, I love you but you made this terribly more difficult for me. (pulls out piece of paper) So I made a little thank-you so I wouldn’t forget anybody.

First, thank you to Iman – it’s very incredible that you’re presenting me with an award. It was a real honor to be named Glamour’s Woman of the Year, especially because I think of myself as just becoming a woman. I just turned 21 this year.

Just to be mentioned in this group of women is overwhelming. I love being a part of a night where we’re celebrating women and such strong women. Thank you, Glamour, for giving me Woman of the Year. Thank you, [Glamour editor-in-chief] Cindi Leive. [JustJared.com] I also want to thank all the people who helped get me here. Melissa [Forde], my best friend, Krista, Mark, [Roc Nation executive] Jay Brown, Jay-Z, [producer] L.A. Reid, everyone on my label at Def Jam, my girls (stylist) Mariel [Haenn], (makeup artist) Mylah [Morales], (hairdresser) Ursula [Stephen]. They help me look cute! Everyone at Revlon, and my entire family who flew here from Barbados – shout-out to you mommy, hi!

I really look up to my gran-gran and my mom. They are my two women of the year. I love you very much, granny. I love you very much, mom.

They’ve shown me what strong women can accomplish and achieve. Without their unconditional love and guidance, I wouldn’t be here and I hope I can be an example to young girls and women today. Thanks so much.