'The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity': Viola Davis raises the roof with stirring speech as she becomes first black woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama

• She won for her role as Annalise Keating on ABC's hit freshman show 'How to Get Away with Murder'
• Davis' powerful speech was one of the most emotional and impassioned speeches of the night
• She began her speech by quoting from abolitionist Harriet Tubman
• Oprah Winfrey, Gabrielle Union and many others tweeted her well wishes 

By Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com

Published: 22:53 EST, 20 September 2015 | Updated: 09:03 EST, 21 September 2015

In one of the most emotional moments from this year's Emmy Awards, Viola Davis gave an outstanding speech after becoming the first African-American woman to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama.

Davis, who plays powerful law professor Annalise Keating on ABC's hit series 'How to Get Away with Murder,' has already won a SAG Award for her performance on the show.

She was also previously nominated for a Golden Globe for the role in the Shonda Rhimes' executive produced series created by Peter Nowalk. 

While accepting the prestigious award, Davis' powerful speech moved audience members, including actress Kerry Washington, to tears.

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Historical win: Viola Davis made history by becoming the first African-American woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama

Acceptance speech: Davis delivered one of the most emotional acceptance speeches of the night at the 67th annual award's ceremony on Sunday

Tears: Actress Kerry Washington was moved to tears during Davis' speech at the award's ceremony

'In my dreams and visions, I seemed to see a line, and on the other side of that line were green fields, and lovely flowers, and beautiful white ladies, who stretched out their arms to me over the line, but I couldn't reach them no-how,' Davis said, quoting Harriet Tubman in her acceptance speech. 

'Let me tell you something: 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.'

An emotional Davis continued by thanking the other actresses of color, including Washington, Halle Berry, Meagan Good, Gabrielle Union and fellow nominee Taraji P. Henson.

Opportunity: In her speech, Davis said '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'

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'Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy.' Davis, who is a graduate from the prestigious Juilliard School, concluded.

Her speech was a highlight from the show and also drew a standing ovation from Henson in the crowd. 

It is likely that Davis quoted Tubman in her speech since she is in the process of developing an HBO telepic about the Underground Railroad leader's life, in which she will play Tubman.

Backstage, Davis expanded on the line that exists in the industry. 

Applause: Davis' speech was a highlight from the show and drew a standing ovation from actress Taraji P. Henson (left) and applause from actress Kerry Washington (right)

Winner: Actress Viola Davis, winner of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for 'How to Get Away with Murder,' poses in the press room at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

'There is a difference when it comes to actors of color in this business,' the 50-year-old actress said. 

'If it's been 67 years since an actress of color has won an Emmy then there is certainly a line.'

She and her husband, Julius Tennon, have started a production company to try to continue erasing that line.

'My story doesn't end here,' she said. 

'There is so much work that needs to be done in so many areas in the business with actors of color, so many narratives that need to be seen by people, so many stories that need to be seen and felt.'

Wow: Oprah Winfrey wrote the above tweet thanking Viola Davis

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres wrote the tweet above about about Davis' win

Actress Sanaa Lathan wrote Davis the above tweet congratulating her on the Emmy win 

Davis also shared that she exchanged words of support with Henson while hugging her on the way to the stage to accept the award. 

'We whispered to each other: `Whoever gets it, it's great, it's wonderful and I love you.'' 

Before taking home the big win on Sunday, Davis told Variety that she is happy that 'a lot of artists of color are being acknowledged.' 

'I've gone through my entire career and I've worked with so many brilliants artist of color who are completely anonymous to people because they haven't had the role that pops them,' Davis explained to Variety. 

'And now here are all these black artists who have roles, people who are writing for them, and they're popping — you know who they are, they're in the public mindset.

In another tweet, Sherri Shepherd said Davis' speech was 'the most inspiring' one given

Gabrielle Union sent the above tweets saying she was 'floored' when Davis mentioned her in her acceptance speech on Sunday

Actor Idris Elba said on Twitter that Davis is 'truly an inspiration to many' and that he's 'proud' of her

'And also, we're playing roles that you haven't seen on TV before. 

'Now, they exist in life, we just haven't seen them in TV. But you know, the big thing is, if they exist in life, then we should see it on TV. 

'We should see it on stage or on the screen. As many people are out there are as many stories that should be being told.' 

In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Davis said that 'it's my mission in life to make women of color a part of the narrative.' 

A number of celebrities took to social media congratulating Davis on her historical win. 

Actress Laverne Cox sent the above tweet about the award ceremony on Sunday

Bravo host Andy Cohen sen the above tweet endorsing Viola Davis for president

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, actress Sanaa Lathan, Sherri Shepard, Oprah, Andy Cohen, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Laverne Cox and Idris Elba were among those who tweeted Davis well wishes.

On the contrary, Nancy Lee Grahn, an American actress best known for her work in daytime soap operas, took to Twitter after Davis' historic win and voiced her frustrations.

'Im a f***ing actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled,' Grahn tweeted. 

'Viola Davis winning lead actress Emmy's historic. My upset is acting awards don't fix racial injustice. As an actor I see how irrelevant we [are].

Kisses: Viola Davis receives a kiss on the cheek from her husband, Julius Tennon, at the HBO Emmy Party 

'I never mean to diminish her accomplishment. I wish I could get her roles. She is a goddess. I want equality 4 ALL women, not just actors.'

Grahn, who has starred on 'General Hospital' since 1996, responded to one person on Twitter writing that she thinks Davis is the 'elite of TV performers,' but that she has 'never been discriminated against.'

'...I think she's the bees knees but she's elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against,' Grahn tweeted about Davis. 

Actress Nancy Lee Grahn sent the tweet above about Davis after she made history with her Emmy win

She later issued another tweet apologizing to those she may have offended with her comments about Davis.  

Also in tonight's telecast, 'Orange Is The New Black' actress Udo Aduba and 'American Crime' actress Regina King won Emmy awards for their respective roles.

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