Oprah Winfrey: A New Day Is On the Horizon!

Dang Oprah, dang girl, you’ve done it again. You’ve hit us all with the feels. I got goosebumps last night listening to the passionate speech preached by Oprah Winfrey at the 75th Golden Globe Awards.

Oprah was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille award for her outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. This award has been given to the greats such as Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep… just to name a few.

Oprah Winfrey is the first black women to be given this award.

Women in attendance of the evening were encouraged to wear black to silently stand in solidarity of the “Time’s Up” movement that began by 300 women in the film, television & theatre industry.

These women rise up as sisters, as supporters, and as one collective group. Within the last few months women of the industry have been courageous to reveal to the public their personal stories of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. These 300+ women of the entertainment industry took a stand to amplify their voices and use their platform to bring about awareness and solidarity. This movement also runs true for the inequality experienced between gender, race, sexual orientation on the issues of representation, opportunity, benefits & pay.

But how does this tie into Oprah’s empowering speech? Duh, it’s Oprah Winfrey, the queen of supporting women and driving them to run this world!

As Oprah walked up to receive her award there were already people standing, both women and men, in respect for being a recipient of this great achievement. Undoubtably Oprah delivers a speech that’s worthy enough for chills, tears, and to make her a candidate for the Presidential Election in 2020 (I wish! Who run the world? Girls.). Oprah’s powerful acceptance speech not only consisted of her gratitude for receiving the award, but her speech also presented an outstanding message that transcends between cultures, geography, race, religion, politics and the workplace.

Everyone has their own story to be told, and Oprah has a magnificent way of highlighting the importance of women sharing their personal stories.

I want to highlight a few quotes from the speech that really hit home :

“Speaking your truth is one of the most powerful tools we all have.”

“I want to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed, and bills to pay, and dreams to pursue. They are the women whose name’s we’ll never know.”

“Hope for a brighter morning even during our darkest nights.”

“I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon!”

As that last quote was proclaimed to the crowd, the camera panned to the audience full of members dressed in all black, with facial expressions of a combination of tears, smiles, absolute awe, joy, hope, inspiration & solidarity. Everyone applauded whist they stood to not only honour Oprah, but also to honour the compelling words uttered from her mouth. She continued to finish by saying that when the new day dawns it will be due to the “magnificent women” and “phenomenal men” that will will become the leaders to fight for a time when no one will ever have to say #MeToo again.

Wow. Just Wow.

I’m one of those little girl you spoke about Oprah, one of those girls watching you, being inspired by you, and wanting to be you. Your power & influence to promote justice, to overcome barriers, and to speak truth are valued and to be simulated. Your message transcends and gives women like me the hope to a brighter future and the strength to continue on my journey of life.

Amen amen, Oprah. Amen amen.

-Liv