Viola Davis delivers emotional speech at HollyRod Foundation gala, honours childhood self

In her acceptance speech, Davis spoke about overcoming a tough childhood and the importance of philanthropy.

Viola Davis was honored at the 26th annual HollyRod Foundation DesignCare Gala on Saturday night. Davis received the Jacqueline Avant HollyRod Humanitarian Award, recognizing her dedication to philanthropic causes.

The HollyRod Foundation, founded by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete, supports families affected by Parkinson's disease and autism. Jacqueline Avant, for whom the award is named, was a longtime supporter of the organization.

During her acceptance speech, Davis delivered a powerful message about overcoming adversity and the importance of giving back. She spoke about her difficult childhood, marked by poverty and racial prejudice.

"I don't know my 80-year-old self yet...but I know my six-year-old self because she's still very much alive to me," Davis said. "She had a lot of dreams, but she didn't have a lot of hopes. She was a bed wetter. She grew up with very little food and in abject poverty. She was probably called a [N-word] more times than she was called Viola — and ugly."

Davis went on to highlight her current charitable work, which includes fighting hunger, supporting education initiatives, and advocating for victims of domestic violence. She stressed that her childhood experiences fueled her passion for helping others.

"It's love. Good old-fashioned radical, active love. The kind of love that we're invested in everyone's spiritual, emotional, physical world. That kind of love that makes people feel less alone," she said.

Davis concluded by expressing her commitment to leaving a positive legacy. "I want to be that person that came through the dark and said, 'I see you.' That's why I work with hunger. That's why I work with education. That's why I work with domestic violence," she stated.

Viola Davis's emotional speech resonated with the audience at the HollyRod Foundation Gala, highlighting the importance of both philanthropy and personal resilience.