Viola Davis with her award

Actress Viola Davis has  become the first African-American, in 67 years,  to win the  Emmy award for best actress.

It was for her portrayal of a law professor involved in a twisted plot on ABC drama series:  “How To Get Away with Murder.”

She gave an emotional speech at the award. Listen to her here

“Let me tell you something,” the 50 year old African-American told the audience to wide applause. “The only thing that separates women of colour from anyone else is opportunity.”

She paid tribute backstage to fellow black actress Taraji P. Henson, who was nominated for her role in Fox’s music melodrama “Empire,” saying both were gunning for the other to make history.

“We whispered to each other, ‘Whoever gets it, it’s great’,” Davis told reporters.

“Game of Thrones” was the big winner at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, raking in a record-breaking 12 awards, the most any series has won in a single year.   It won  the best drama series and 11 others.

“Thrones” — a sweeping tale of clashing noble families filled with blood, sex and back-stabbing, based on the novels of George R.R. Martin — had won many awards before, but never the top prize at television’s equivalent of the Oscars.