Actress Viola Davis made history last night during the 2015 Emmy Awards as she became the first black woman to win the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama.

The star of How to Get Away with Murder also delivered a very powerful acceptance speech, which sent goosebumps up and down the arms of anyone who witnessed it.

Davis began her speech with a quote from 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.”

And paid homage to several other black actresses in her speech as well, mentioning Henson, Kerry Washington and Meagan Good as well as How to Get Away with Murder executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

It was this quote that reverberated throughout the airwaves:

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” she said during her acceptance speech. “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”

In case you missed it, watch video + read transcript of Viola Davis’ black history moment below: Continue Reading…