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1 of 12Donna Emmett, Law & Order: SVU, 2003-2008.Nicole Rivelli—NBC/Getty Images -
2 of 12Mrs. Miller, Doubt, 2008.Miramax Films -
3 of 12Lynda P. Frazier, United States of Tara, 2009.Showtime -
4 of 12Delia Shiraz, Eat Pray Love, 2010.Columbia Pictures -
5 of 12Aibileen Clark, The Help, 2011.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures -
6 of 12Nona Alberts, Won't Back Down, 2012.20th Century Fox -
7 of 12Nancy Birch, Prisoners, 2013.Warner Bros. -
8 of 12Susie Brown, Get On Up, 2014.Universal Pictures -
9 of 12Professor Annalise Keating, How to Get Away with Murder, 2014-present.Mitch Haaseth—ABC/Getty Images -
10 of 12FBI Agent Carol Barrett, Blackhat, 2015.Universal Pictures -
11 of 12Amanda Waller, Suicide Squad, 2016.Warner Bros. -
12 of 12Rose Maxson, Fences, 2016.Paramount Pictures
Viola Davis made Oscars history this season when she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rose Maxson in Fences. She not only became the first African-American woman with three Oscar nominations, surpassing Whoopi Goldberg, but she is also poised to become the first black actor—male or female—to win the Triple Crown of Acting (one each of a competitive Oscar, Emmy and Tony). A win for Davis would mean, above all, recognition of her fierce talent as a performer, but it would also give audiences another chance to enjoy one of her unfailingly powerful acceptance speeches. Here, TIME looks back at Davis’ most memorable roles.
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