Caitlyn Jenner has had quite the six months since publicly announcing her decision to transition into a female.
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Walters called the I Am Cait star a "symbol of hope for the transgender community," so she gave Jenner the top honor in her list of 10 Most Fascinating People -- which also lists Amy Schumer, Donald Trump, Misty Copeland, Bradley Cooper, Tracy Morgan, Bernie Sanders, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Ronda Rousey, and Donna Karan.
"Our choice for the most fascinating person of the year was once called the world's greatest athlete," Walters, 86, said in a speech obtained by People.
"Traditionally that title was given to the man who won the Olympic decathlon. When Bruce Jenner won it in 1976, it was a huge accomplishment that had everybody talking. But it was nothing like this. When Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner, there was a seismic shift in the gender universe."
Jenner became honest with the world about her identity when he first conducted a 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer in April and then later released a 22-page spread in Vanity Fair magazine to show off her new appearance as a woman.
Jenner's "celebrity has helped launch a national discussion about transgender rights. She has become a champion for the transgender community, raising awareness and advocating for acceptance," explained Walters.
"Famous and familiar, she raised awareness and acceptance of transgendered people. Through her own transformation, Caitlyn Jenner transformed society this year, and that, for us, makes her the most fascinating person of 2015."
In years before her, influential women like Princess Diana and Hillary Clinton have been dubbed Most Fascinating Person.
Jenner, a parent of 10 kids who frequently appears on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, has also been honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs this year as well as being called one of Glamour magazine's Women of the Year.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
