On February 5th, 2023, Viola Davis received a Grammy for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording for her memoir, Finding Me. This is her first Grammy win along with winning an Emmy Award, four Academy Awards (Oscar), and two Tony Awards.
She is the epitome of hard work really does pay off being that she is not only the 18th person overall, but the third African-American woman to receive EGOT status. Along with Whoopi Goldberg being the first African-American woman to receive EGOT status and Jennifer Hudson being the second.
In 2001, Davis won her first Tony for best supporting actress in the play King Hedley II then later in 2010 she won her second tony for the lead role in the revival of Broadway play Fences. In 2015, she was not only the first African-American person, but also the first African-American woman to receive an Emmy for best lead actress in a drama for How To Get Away with Murder, which is understandable considering it’s one of the most popular shows that still gets buzz to this day with the show coming to an end in May 2020. In addition, a year after she won her Emmy, she received an Academy Award for best supporting actress in the cinematic edition of Fences.
Her list of accolades goes on and on, as it should because she’s a phenomenal actress.
This is just the tip of the iceberg at what Ms. Davis has accomplished with her career. I am a huge fan of Viola Davis and the work that she has brought to the big screen. I, myself, major in film at Bowie State University and seeing women, especially a woman of color receiving this status is an inspiration.
She is an absolute gem to see and watching her over the years has brought nothing but joy and happiness to my heart.
It is so important, especially for Women’s History Month, to acknowledge the work and labor Ms. Davis has put in over the years and not let it go unnoticed. It is also most important to bring awareness to this historic event for young women, especially young woman of color, to show that women and women of color can accomplish anything and seeing a black woman on that stage get the due diligence she deserves after 22 years is the one of the most mind-blowing moments to date and I am so proud to witness this success.
Eventually, I want to reach EGOT status myself with the films and shows that I create. Ms. Davis success has motivated me to be more open, think outside the box, and do a little of everything in my field because I believe it is crucial for women, especially women that look like me and my family to the representation that we need when it comes to film and tv.
I hope and pray that one day I can make a great impact in the film industry of the next generation of creative thinkers and make the ones who have paved the way, like Ms. Davis, very proud.