Rhode Island’s Viola Davis made history last night, as the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for best actress in a TV drama. In a rousing speech, Davis quoted 19th century abolitionist Harriet Tubman, then spoke to the barriers women of color continue to face today.
“And let me tell you something, the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” said Davis.
Davis won for her role as a troubled lawyer in ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder. Davis grew up in Central Falls, and attended Rhode Island College, before enrolling in the Juilliard theater school.
Rhode Islander Richard Jenkins also took home an Emmy for his work in the HBO miniseries Olive Kittridge. Jenkins began his professional theater career at Trinity Rep in Providence. He and his wife continue to work closely with the theater.
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