Long Island's Sheryl Lee Ralph gives stirring Emmy speech
Sheryl Lee Ralph accepts her supporting actress Emmy for the sitcom "Abbott Elementary" at Monday night's ceremony. Credit: AFP via Getty Images / Patrick T. Fallon
Sheryl Lee Ralph graduated from Uniondale High School to become a teacher on "Abbott Elementary." On Monday night, she became the first Black woman to win a supporting actress in a comedy series Emmy Award since Jackée Harry in 1987, and Ralph's stirring acceptance speech had the crowd on its feet.
Looking visibly emotional Ralph, 65, walked onstage and sang a powerful a cappella version of the song “Endangered Species” by Dianne Reeves. “I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim’s song, I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs,” she sang.
#Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph: "Anyone who has ever, ever had a dream and thought your dream...couldn't come true. I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And don't you ever, ever give up on you." https://t.co/h3GrtHDUA6 pic.twitter.com/qPpGSFfGw5
— Variety (@Variety) September 13, 2022
Once the cheers and applause died down, Ralph spoke. “To anyone who has ever — ever — had a dream, and thought your dream wasn't, wouldn't, couldn't come true," she said, "I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And don't you ever, ever give up on you!”
