Women have always been trendsetters, history-makers and serious game-changers.
The glitz and glamorous world of Hollywood always seems unattainable for many and black women in particular have always taken a back seat when it comes to getting accolades for their acting skills.
Year in and out, we see the best of the best in the acting game being nominated and taking the famous golden Oscar statuettes home, and year in and out, the list of black female actors leaves much to be desired. A current reality even in 2017 where the last best actress in a leading role Oscar award dating as back as 2002 belonging to Halle Berry who won it for her role in the movie Monster’s Ball.
With this unfortunate reality, I then decided to dedicate Day 13 of my women’s month appreciation series to acknowledging the three black women who have made history in the acting game. Three powerful women who have defied all odds, have succeeded beyond measure and broke through all barriers that may have been in their way towards attaining their achievements.
On this post, I celebrated the late Hattie McDaniel who was the very first black person to ever win an Oscar in 1940, the multi-talented and multi-award winning Whoppi Goldberg and the ‘triple crown of acting’ holder Viola Davis.
Their stories are one of hope and triumph to anyone, across the globe, who may not look a certain way or form but who are passionate enough to work hard and push through.
Here is that post, with a brief on each of these three on why they are acting history-makers.
Not only are (and were) they phenomenal artists their names will forever be written in the history books.
1. The late Hattie McDaniel, was the very 1st African-American person to ever win an Oscar award in the year 1940 for her supporting role in the movie ‘Gone with tbe wind’ defying all the odds completely for such an honour at a time when people of her kind were not considered any worthy. May her soul rest in peace. Her name and contribution towards acting history lives on.
2. 62 year old, Whoopi Goldberg is another woman of wonder. She is the second black woman in the history of academy awards to win an acting Oscar. Her success doesn’t end there. First woman in history to win a Grammy Award in 1985, a Tony award as a producer in 2002, Two-time winner of Emmy awards in 2002 and 2009 and an Oscar for her supporting role in the movie Ghost in 1990.
3. My list won’t be complete without 52 year old Viola Davis who graduated in 1993 from Julliard and has worked her way up consistently and diligently to only get recognition in her late 40s. She is the first black actor to achieve the ‘Triple Crown of Acting’ title for her Emmy award, Tony award and Oscar (for a supporting role in the movie Fences).
Women are indeed wonders and these three have shown that in more ways than one and today, I celebrate them and their oustanding achievements of hope, dreams and opportunity.
A sad current reality is that, only one black woman has ever won an Oscar for a leading role. And that honour to date belongs to Halle Berry, back in 2002. No black woman has won this prestigious award in 15 years! But there is always hope and one day, the history books shall be re-written all over again…
A very happy women’s month to you!
SithenjwaT 