This will make me hugely unpopular here in expressing this opinion, knowing how communities like WP react to something that dares differ from the 'group think' dynamics that are endemic to open-source societies, but I'll say it anyway.

An award limited to only one gender is discriminatory. If this award was earmarked for a specific race, or a specific religion, or maybe only those under 30, or perhaps only to those from a particular country or region, it would also be discriminatory.

You can rationalize however you want, but discrimination is discrimination no matter how much you try to disguise it with so-called 'good intentions.'

This award should be offered to everyone, or no one. It should be based on merit without regard to gender or anything else.

Perhaps my argument is generational. There are a few followers of this site who are old enough to remember other 'de jure' discriminatory practices. I well remember 'white only' buses, trains, drinking fountains, and restrooms. I well remember many schools (and professions) closed to specific races, as well as women. I well remember 'quotas' and 'gentleman agreements' and hotels that would advertise the anti-Semitic code words "Churches nearby." I well remember restaurants for whites only and clubs for men only.

So now we have an award for women only.

When this award was first proposed it was hailed as a huge 'step forward.' For some/many of us of a 'certain age' we see this award as a huge step backward.

Hit me with your best shot, but having been born in the 1940s I can say with assurance that those born in the 1980s and 1990s have little or no understanding of the battles that were fought and the sacrifices that were made to end 'de jure' discrimination... and it pains us to see it brought back again.