Firsts After 50: Viola Davis Takes Home the Gold

In celebration of Black History Month AARP is recognizing Black Americans who have achieved phenomenal “firsts.” In this spirit, AARP in Los Angeles is sharing their stories here on our blog, as well as inviting followers on social media to share their own stories.

What better what to wrap up our month-long celebration than by shining a light on a woman who just made Hollywood history? At age 51, acclaimed actress and Southern California resident, Viola Davis became the first Black American actor to win an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony in a competitive acting category when she took home the Oscar for best supporting actress in “Fences,” which was also a crowd favorite during this year’s Variety and AARP Movies for Grownups Screening Series.

Viola was first nominated for an Oscar for her breakthrough role in the film, “Doubt”, in 2008, and she has delighted audiences in films like “The Help” and on the television show, “How to Get Away With Murder.”

According to the Los Angeles Times,  when Viola was asked what she loved about being a black woman following her historic win, she highlighted her age as a factor:

“Everything,” she said. “I love my history, the fact that I can go back and look at so many stories of women who've gone before me that seemingly should not have survived, but they did. I love my skin, my voice. Sometimes I don’t love being the spokesperson all the time, but so be it. That’s the way that goes sometimes. At 51, I’m loving me.”