Emmy Awards 2015: Viola Davis wins best drama series actress
The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards show was one that will go down in history after Viola Davis won Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama series for her role in "How to Get Away with Murder."
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Davis was the first black woman to win the award, and she did not take the honour for granted.
"The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone is opportunity," said Davis in a shaking voice as she thanked influential black women across Hollywood, including Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington, Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union.
Though Henson was also a nominee, it was obvious there was clearly no bad blood between the two as they shared a tight hug before Davis took the stage.
Davis quoted Harriet Tubman in her speech and urged Hollywood to write in more parts for black women.
"You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there," she said. "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"
Black actresses dominated the Emmys on Sunday, with Uzo Aduba winning Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series for her work in "Orange Is the New Black" and Regina King taking home a statuette for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for her part in "American Crime." Henson, who presented King's award, looked overjoyed as she announced the honor.
Kerry Washington cried as she watched Davis take the stage, while other celebrities tweeted their excitement from afar.
