Every year, Glamour magazine honors “extraordinary and inspirational” women from various industries who had made a lasting impact on the world. This year was no different. On Monday night (Nov. 8), as awards were given to honorees in New York’s Rainbow Room, Megan Thee Stallion was honored for her contributions as a woman emcee in the music industry. Pepa from the hip hop group Salt-N-Pepa, presented her with her Woman of the Year award, but not without sharing a few empowering words.

“She is Thee Stallion. Beautiful, bold, assertive, fearless,” said the legendary emcee. “I love everything that she’s doing. There were so few women in the game back in the day. We helped open doors, yes, we did. But Megan, she came and kicked the door down, pulled up a seat at the table, ordered a big dinner and poured Hottie Sauce all over the damn thing. She is doing it well, henny. Pushing it real good.”

She then turned the stand over to Meg, who shared a heartfelt speech expressing gratitude for all those who inspired her along the way, including her late mother.

“I’ve been in tears all night because everyone is so inspiring,” said the Houston rapper. “I also want to thank my mom, that’s my woman. I want to thank my mom because she taught me how to be the woman that I am today. She’s my best friend, my manager, she was my everything, and I know she’s so proud of me today.”

While Meg is no stranger to receiving awards, she made the decision to accept the award under her legal name. “I’ve won a lot of awards as Megan Thee Stallion, but I choose to accept this award as Megan Pete,” she explained. “A soon-to-be college graduate from Houston, a woman who has built a successful career in a male-dominated industry, who has earned her respect from people that couldn’t look beyond my public persona.”

See clips from Meg’s speech below.