Argentina Woman of the Year is Trans

After breaking ground by becoming one of the first countries in the world with a woman president, Argentina is at it again, this time honoring a trans woman with a congressional award as Distinguished Woman of 2009.

AOL reports that the annual prize goes to 45-year-old Marcela Romero, who recently won a 10-year-long court battle to receive new documents recognizing her as female.

"I am what I am. The right of one person is the right of all," Romero said during an event last Tuesday in the Argentine congress. An artist and civil rights activist, she said her award suggests that "no other person would have to wait 10 years or more in order to receive a national identity document with their name and gender identity."

The announcement is a milestone for Argentina, but was met with some controversy. According to reports, after Romero's name was announced, some people walked out of the ceremony.

In August 2009, Romero was granted new identification with a photo of her with long blond hair and red lips.

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