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Last night, Viola Davis became the first black woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama for her role on How to Get Away With Murder. Davis’ win was the second history-making moment of the night — Vanity Fair pointed out that it was the first time the nominations for lead actress in a drama, included multiple women of color. Perhaps hammering home a quote from Davis’ acceptance speech, that “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.”
Actress Uzo Aduba also won an Emmy for best supporting actress in a drama series for Orange Is the New Black. Ironically a switch in the way the show was categorized, made her the first actress to win both a drama and comedy award for the same role. Previously, the Netflix original show was classified as a comedy.
Hollywood veteran and favorite Regina King also took home an award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie. It was King’s first nomination and win.
Watch Davis’ moving acceptance speech (and the glee on fellow nominee Taraji Henson’s face)
