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How to Get Away with Murder star Viola Davis made history at the 2015 Emmy Awards as the first African-American winner of Best Actress in a Drama.

She reacted to that victory in amazing fashion.

The woman who bring lawyer and law school professor Annalise Keating to life used the occasion to speak on racial inequality in Hollywood.

She also movingly thanked those who helped her get the leading role, channeling Harriet Tubman’s moving quote about racial divides:

"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."

"So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black."

Thanking many executives, including Shonda Rhimes, Davis also praised a series of black female actresses, some of them in the audience.

"And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union, thank you."

"Thank you for taking us over that line," she said as the camera cut to the tearful Scandal and Empire stars, who were on their feet cheering.

Moving, powerful stuff. Check out this slideshow for more Emmy moments we’ll always remember, and some we wish we could forget.