Los Angeles - Oprah Winfrey became the
first black woman to be awarded a Golden Globe for lifetime
achievement on Sunday, delivering an impassioned speech in
support of those who have exposed sexual misconduct in Hollywood
and beyond.
Actress, movie and television producer, and chief executive
of her OWN cable channel, Winfrey, 63, was celebrated as a role
model for women and a person who has promoted strong female
characters.
Her honour came in a year when the awards show, Hollywood's
first leading up to the Oscars, was dominated by a scandal that
has seen the downfall of dozens of powerful men as women break
years of silence.
Winfrey, who along with most of the show's other attendees
donned a black gown to show support for victims of sexual
misconduct, was the first black woman to receive the annual
Cecil B. De Mille award, joining the likes of Meryl Streep,
Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand and Sophia Loren.
Winfrey used her speech to praise women who have shared
their stories of sexual harassment and abuse, and to declare
that "a new day is on the horizon" for girls and women.
undefined"And when that new day finally dawns it will be because of a
lot of magnificent women, many of whom are in this room tonight,
and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure they
become leaders that take us to the time where nobody has to say
'me too' again," Winfrey said, referencing the social media
movement raising awareness about sexual harassment.
Winfrey was raised in poverty by a single mother and went on
host the top-rated talk show "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for 25
years before ending it in 2011.
"I want to express gratitude to all the women who have
endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother,
had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue."
During her speech, she recalled being inspired as a child by
previous Cecil B. DeMille award winner Sidney Poitier, the first
black actor to win a best actor Oscar.
"It is not lost on me that at this moment there are some
little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be
given the same award," Winfrey said.
She produced and acted in the 2014 civil rights movie
"Selma," and 2017's "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and
was Oscar nominated in 1986 for her role in "The Color Purple"
which she later helped finance as Broadway musical.
Even after ending her daily talk show, her influence on
popular culture remains strong.
Forbes last year estimated her net worth at $3 billion and
placed her third on its list of the America's richest self-made
women.