A transgender woman became the new Jeopardy! champion on Wednesday, a victory that was all the more sweet by the fact that it took place during Trans Awareness Week.
Amy Schneider defeated five-time champion Andrew He when she was the only contestant to answer the Final Jeopardy question correctly. She won $31,600 after identifying which island contains the graves of Robert Fulton and two of the first four treasury secretaries.
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The answer was Manhattan.
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Schneider celebrated her victory on Twitter.
After providing an in-depth explanation of her strategy to followers, she wrote, “AND THEN I WON!!!! I genuinely couldn’t believe it. After 30+ years of watching, and 10+ years of trying to get on, I’d actually won Jeopardy!”
AND THEN I WON!!!! I genuinely couldn't believe it. After 30+ years of watching, and 10+ years of trying to get on, I'd actually won Jeopardy!
— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) November 18, 2021
She also clarified that several trans contestants have appeared on the show before her, including the first out trans champion Kate Freeman. “Many thanks to all of them for blazing the trail!” she said.
FYI, I am not the first out trans person to appear on Jeopardy (a few friends have asked). There have been a handful before, including one, Kate Freeman, who was the first out trans champion on 12/16/20. My thanks to all of them for blazing the trail!
— Amy Schneider (@Jeopardamy) November 18, 2021
In the replies, many people expressed what Schneider’s win meant to them.
“i’m trans and it’s incredibly rare for us to win,” one user wrote, “especially with how there are several laws in place that make it harder for us to exist and prosper. seeing ourselves represented in such a way on public media like this is massive because we’re not used to succeeding.”
“I’m SOOO happy you’re succeeding and allowing the community to prosper,” wrote another.
And one more still expressed gratitude to Schneider, “I watch jeopardy daily and I’ve never seen myself reflected back until today and wow it made it feel so different. Thank you for that. I’m so happy you won!”
i'm trans and it's incredibly rare for us to win, especially with how there are several laws in place that make it harder for us to exist and prosper. seeing ourselves represented in such a way on public media like this is massive because we're not used to succeeding.
— blisplibidy (she/her) (from the vault) (@blisplibidy) November 18, 2021
also, Catherine Ramen was a 5-time champion and part of the ToC class of 1998 before she transitioned. i'm SOOOO happy you're succeeding and allowing the community to prosper
— blisplibidy (she/her) (from the vault) (@blisplibidy) November 18, 2021
I watch jeopardy daily and I’ve never seen myself reflected back until today and wow it made it feel so different. 🏳️⚧️ Thank you for that. I’m so happy you won!
— Just my burner account (@nonsonce) November 18, 2021
In an episode that aired on Thursday, Schneider returned to defend her title and won yet again.
Check out her two victories (so far):
