Oprah Left Everyone In Tears After Her Golden Globes Speech

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Oprah Left Everyone In Tears After Her Golden Globes Speech

The Daily Beast

The 2018 Golden Globes Awards was one for the books in many ways.

Golden moments from the night included stars joining the Time's Up movement by wearing all black, Debra Messing calling out E! for underpaying one of their former female anchors, Catt Sadler, and This Is Us star Sterling Knight becoming the first African American man to win best actor in a drama.

Variety

However, Brown wasn't the only person to make history during the ceremony. Media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey also broke a record by being the first black woman to be honored with the Cecile B. DeMille award.

The lifetime achievement award is handed out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to individuals who have had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, and frankly, we're surprised Oprah wasn't chosen sooner.

Harper's Bazaar

Upon accepting the award, Oprah delivered a powerful and inspirational speech that shone a light on women's issues, abuse, and the importance of the press. There wasn't a dry eye in the room by the time her speech ended.

"At this moment, there are some little girls watching as I become the first black woman to be given this award," Winfrey said, after recounting a moment from her childhood when actor Sidney Poitier became the first black person to win an Oscar for best actor.

She continued, "It is an honor and it is a privilege to share the evening with all of them and also with the incredible men and women who have inspired me, who challenged me, who sustained me and made my journey to this stage possible."

Variety.com

Oprah also paid tribute to the average women who work hard every day to make a living, break barriers, and to be heard. She pointed out a woman by the name of Recy Taylor, who in 1944 was gang raped by six white men. With Rosa Parks by her side, Taylor fought for justice and continued to do so until her death on December 28, 2017.

"For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power to those men, but their time is up. Their time is up!" Oprah said. "I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing ...her truth, even now, goes marching on."

PopSugar

The former talk show host also touched on the #MeToo movement and the importance of the press helping both men and women tell their truth. She herself was a victim of sexual abuse, including rape, when she was just 9-years-old.

"What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have," she said. "I'm especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough, and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories we tell and this year we became the stories. It's one that transcends and culture, geography politics or workplace."

She added, "I want all the girls watching to know a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure they are the leaders to take us to the time where nobody has to say "˜me too' again."

"For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men "” but their time is up. Their time is up!" she concluded the speech as the room rose for a standing ovation.

This was Oprah's first Golden Globes Award win, but she was previously nominated in 1986 for her performance in The Color Purple.

You can watch the entire acceptance speech in the clip below:

Since Oprah's goosebumps-inducing speech went viral, people have been calling for her to run for president in 2020. Even her longtime partner, Stedman Graham agrees.

"It's up to the people," Graham told the Los Angeles Times. "She would absolutely do it."

What did you think of Oprah's speech? Let us know!

Blair isn't a bestselling author, but she has a knack for beautiful prose. When she isn't writing for Shared, she enjoys listening to podcasts.