She was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, but I was shocked and not surprised to learn that in the 64 year history of the Emmys, in this particular category only four African-American women have ever been nominated and NONE of them won.
In case you're wondering who those four women are, Debbie Allen (“Fame”; 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985), Alfre Woodard (“St. Elsewhere”; 1986), Regina Taylor (“I’ll Fly Away”; 1992, 1993) and Cicely Tyson (“Sweet Justice”; 1995)
What's even more disgusting is that no African-American woman has been nominated for this category since 1995 and Kerry Washington is the first African-American woman to receive a nomination in this category in the 21st Century.
There have been others who deserved nominations for their work such as Jada Pinkett Smith for HawthoRNe, Khandi Alexander for Treme and Angela Bassett during the final season of ER but all were snubbed.
That dearth of African-American winners is probably one of the reasons I tend to ignore the Emmys when they are on TV, but I won't be doing so this year because it could be a historic night.
Don Cheadle and Alfre Woodard also received Emmy nominations..
It will be interesting to see if Kerry Washington's stylishly dressed self will be picking up that Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series trophy on September 22.
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