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Oprah sends viral ‘childless cat lady’ flowers and a basket of cat toys: ‘Thank you for rising to this moment’

TV producers’ cameras randomly switched to Teresa Woorman after the media personality uttered the phrase ‘childless cat lady’

Kelly Rissman
Tuesday 10 September 2024 18:22 BST
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Oprah Winfrey calls out JD Vance’s ‘childless cat lady’ jibe at DNC

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Teresa Woorman, the member of the Maryland House of Delegates who went viral after the DNC cut to her while Oprah Winfrey was discussing “childless cat ladies,” received a flower arrangement and a basket of cat toys from Oprah herself.

Woorman made headlines after cameras at the Democratic National Convention last month inexplicably cut to her in the middle of Oprah’s speech — specifically after the media personality said the phrase “childless cat lady.”

“When a house is on fire, we don’t ask about the homeowner’s race or religion, we don’t wonder who their partner is or how they voted. No. We just try to do the best we can to save them,” Winfrey said during her DNC speech. “And if the place happens to belong to a childless cat lady, well, we try to get that cat out, too.” The camera switched from Oprah to Woorman after she mentioned the now-infamous phrase.

The strange move seemed to have sparked a new friendship between the two women, as Woorman thanked Oprah for sending her a giant basket of cat toys and a bouquet of pastel flowers.

“Feeling so blessed and humbled!” the Maryland Democrat wrote in a post shared on X on Monday. “Thank you, @Oprah, for this stunning flower arrangement and basket of cat toys for my cats!”

Woorman posted photos of herself holding one of her cats while the other sat on the table next to the flowers, staring down at the massive basket of cat toys, which was wrapped in none other than a blue bow with different colored cats printed on it.

She also shared the note that Oprah sent her: “Thank you for rising to this moment with grace and humor. Enclosed are some treats for you and your cherished cats to enjoy.

Despite Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance hurling the phrase as an insult, Woorman does not shy away from being a “childless cat lady.” Not only does she frequently post photos with her two cats — Snow White and Oscar — but she also now refers to herself as “the childless cat lady from the DNC” on social media.

In her post, which as of noon had enjoyed more than 11,000 views, she also took the opportunity to make a political statement: “After going viral as the ‘childless cat lady’ during the @DemConvention! I am more motivated than ever to keep pushing for the change we need.”

Woorman continued: “I’m proud to support @KamalaHarris and @Tim_Walz, two leaders who will champion our values and drive our country forward,” she wrote on X. “Let’s keep the momentum going and get them elected this November!”

Vance’s “childless cat lady” comment came from a 2021 clip that resurfaced after he became Donald Trump’s running mate. At the time, he described Vice President Kamala Harris — who has two stepchildren — and others as a “childless cat lady.”

Nearly everyone, from Jennifer Aniston to Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife to members of his own party, have criticized the Ohio Senator for making the insensitive remark.

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