Viola Davis made history at the Emmys on Sunday night when she became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama series. In a moving speech, the How to Get Away With Murder actress began by quoting Harriet Tubman:
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.
Davis went on to thank the show’s executive producer Shonda Rhimes for diversifying television as well as other actresses breaking boundaries on TV, including her fellow nominee Taraji P. Henson.
“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” she concluded. “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Eliana Dockterman at eliana.dockterman@time.com