The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Angela Bassett with an honorary Oscar earlier this week. While accepting the award, the Black Panther actress made sure to recognize the women who came before her.

Because had it not been for their resilience, continuing to fight through their fears and the uncertainty and their willingness as they fought for every role, I would not have had a representation of what was possible for me.

Mentioning the likes of  Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Rosalind Cash, the actress shared, “they were my North Star, my guiding light, proof that while the road may not be without curves and bumps, there was a way to fulfill what I believed deep in my soul was my destiny.”

“It was standing on their strong, spiritually fortified shoulders that I often was sustained, and I thank them for every sacrifice, every doubt, every disappointment, every rejection, every triumph that I know they experienced along the way,” Bassett continued. “Because had it not been for their resilience, continuing to fight through their fears and the uncertainty and their willingness as they fought for every role, I would not have had a representation of what was possible for me.”