The Gossip Madam: Viola Davis and black actresses recognised in history-making awards

Black actresses have emerged big winners in an emotional Emmy Awards ceremony, with How to Get Away with Murder star Viola Davis becoming the first black woman in history to win Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Davis's powerful acceptance speech was one of the crowning moments of the night after the actress highlighted the issue of visibility and roles for black women. "The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity," the 50-year-old said. "You can not win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here's to all the writers."

Empire's Taraji P. Henson also nominated for the same award gave Davis an emotional hug and a powerful one-woman standing ovation.

The moving speech was applauded on Twitter by Oprah, Orange Is the New Black actresses Laverne Cox and Samira Wiley, and Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes.
Orange Is the New Black actress Uzo Aduba won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her character "Crazy Eyes" to a standing ovation from her co-stars. Regina King was also visibly shocked after winning Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for American Crime.