The two trailblazers walked out hand-in-hand to present the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, and both endearingly honored the work each has done.
At 78, Carroll is a legend - not just for having talent and charm to spare but for bursting through TV's barriers. In 1968, the actress became the first African-American woman to lead her own TV show in a non-stereotypical role with "Julia". Washington, 36, has accomplished another first with ABC's "Scandal," as she's the first African-American woman to lead a network TV drama since 1974. (Yes, 1974. Let that sink in for a minute.)
But beyond their pioneering work in TV, both women gave viewers a candid moment that was as inspiring as it was authentic: see both Carroll's quip about how much more attractive TV's lead actors have become, and her frank proclamation that Washington "better win" the lead actress in a drama Emmy.
"Diahann Carroll for president," tweeted The Atlantic's Richard Lawson. "For those frantically Googling, the woman you want to be when you grow up is named Diahann Carroll,"
