African-American Viola Davis creates history at 2015 Emmys

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Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Last Updated : Sep 21 2015 | 11:22 AM IST
Viola Davis was declared the outstanding actress at the 2015 Emmy Awards for her performance in the drama "How To Get Away With Murder", marking the first time an African-American woman has won in this category.
She won the trophy thanks to her role of the tough, damaged lawyer and law school professor Annalise Keating on the ABC show, reported Us magazine.
The 50-year-old actress looked shocked and overwhelmed when her name was announced.
Wearing a Carmen Marc Valvo gown, the two-time Oscar nominee took the opportunity to make a statement about racial inequality in Hollywood and to thank the people, who helped get her into a leading role.
After reciting Harriet Tubman's (an African-American humanitarian) moving quote about trying to cross the line of the racial divide, Davis said, "The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is simply opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.
"So here's to all the writers, the awesome people -- people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black."
She got a standing ovation from actress Taraji P Henson, who was nominated in the same category for her role on TV show "Empire".

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First Published: Sep 21 2015 | 11:22 AM IST