Viola Davis Makes History As The First Black Woman to Win Best Drama Actress at the 2015 Emmys

The 2015 Emmy Awards were more diverse than ever this year. While the annual show, that highlight TV’s finest were typically dry, sprinkles of inspiring moments like, Viola Davis’ emotional acceptance speech.
Taking the stage for her first win (and nomination), Davis, 50, quoted Harriet Tubman at the start of her emotional and powerful speech, saying, "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.' That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s."

Davis continued, "And let me tell you something, the only thing  that chances women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there."
She then went on to thank HTGAWM creator Pete Nowalk and executive producer Shonda Rhimes, calling them "people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black," before going on to recognize some of her peers, including fellow nominee, Empire's Taraji P. Henson, as well as Kerry Washington, Halle Berry, Nicole Beharie, Meagan Good and Gabrielle Union. "Thank you for taking us over that line," she said.
Congratulations!!