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Watch: Viola Davis makes history with Emmy win


On Sunday night, Viola Davis became the first African American ever to win best actress in a drama series, for her role on ABC's How to Get Away with Murder.

The Oscar-nominated actress, 50, was emotional as she delivered a powerful acceptance speech, making a passionate plea for more diversity in Hollywood.

" 'In my mind, I see a line,' " Davis said. " '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 nohow. I can't seem to get over that line.' That was Harriet Tubman in the 1800s. And let me tell you something: 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."

She went on to thank Murder creator Peter Nowalk, executive producer Shonda Rhimes, and ABC executives Ben Sherwood and Paul Lee, all of whom have "redefined what it is to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black," Davis said.

You can watch the moving speech in its entirety below:

After accepting her Emmy, Davis told reporters backstage she was feeling "really good. And if you knew me, you'd know how rare that was."

The actress went on: "I've been in this business 25 years. I've been eking out a living doing Broadway, off-Broadway... I'm just excited to be a part of the conversation. I've seen the unemployment line a lot, man."

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Viola Davis backstage after her historic #Emmys win: "I feel really good. And if you knew me, you'd know how rare that was."

Rhimes chimed in on Twitter after the historic win, as did many other celebrities offering their congratulations.

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