Actress Audra McDonald made history Sunday night during the 68th annual Tony Awards in New York City. The Broadway star took home the best dramatic actress award for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, making this her sixth Tony and topping Angela Lansbury's previous record of five.
In her acceptance speech, McDonald thanked her family, especially her parents, who ignored the doctors that advised medicating their overactive daughter; instead, they turned her toward the theater. She also had praise for the "strong and brave and courageous" women who came before her: "I am standing on Lena Horne's shoulders, I'm standing on Maya Angelou's shoulders, I'm standing on Diahann Carroll's shoulders, and Ruby Dee's, and most of all Billie Holiday's. You deserved so much more than you were given when you were on this planet. This is for you, Billie."
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