The 2015 Emmy awards ceremony took place on Sunday, September 20th. Viola Davis took home the award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her work in the series How to Get Away with Murder. It was a particularly exciting moment for the actress. This was Viola’s first nomination and win. She is also the first black woman to ever receive this award.
She acknowledged the struggle black women face in the industry
Davis has previously called out Hollywood for its portrayal of dark-skinned women and lack of roles for older black women. To describe the struggle she faced, she began her speech with a quote by Harriet Tubman in the 1800s:
“In my mind, I see a line. And over that line, I see green fields and lovely flowers and beautiful white women with their arms stretched out to me over that line. But I can’t seem to get there no how. I can’t seem to get over that line.’”
She added: “And let me tell you something: The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”
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She then thanked her writer and fellow nominees
“So, here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood, Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes. People who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black,” she continued. “And to the Taraji P. Hensons and Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goodes, to Gabrielle Union. Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you for the Television Academy. Thank you.”
Most celebrities reacted positively to her speech
Many celebrities tweeted their appreciation for Davis’ speech. “Wow, WOW! Another proud to spell my name W.O.M.A.N. Moment. Thank you @violadavis #EmmyWinner,” Oprah Winfrey tweeted. Sean “Diddy” Combs, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Sherri Shepherd, Laverne Cox, Julianne Moore, and Zendaya also tweeted their approval of the speech.
Not everyone was a fan
Though most were happy with the speech, soap opera star Nancy Lee Grahn vented her frustrations online. “I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech. But I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it,” she tweeted. In a now deleted post, she also claimed that Davis does not face any more discrimination than other women: “Im a f***ing actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled,” she said. Grahn later apologized for the remarks, stating she never meant to diminish Davis’ accomplishment.
Watch a video of her acceptance speech below:
SEE ALSO: Viola Davis Calls Out Hollywood For Its Portrayal Of Dark-Skinned Women.
