
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Cicely Tyson, the iconic actor who starred in films like The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Sounder, is now the first black woman to receive an honorary Oscar. To celebrate this achievement, director Ava DuVernary rounded up many of the famous actors, directors, and producers who've followed in Tyson’s footsteps, and tasked them with describing her.
“I asked some of the women who join me in calling you our queen to describe you in one word,” she explained. (Apparently there was a group text about it—which, how can I get in on that?!).
The full list of responses, which DuVernay shared on Instagram, was incredible. Take a look at all the iconic women whom DuVernay got to honor Tyson:
DuVernay herself used the word “flower” and quoted Georgia O’Keefe: “Nobody sees a flower, really...I make people take time to look.” She told Tyson, “You are the maker of the flower. You are the seed for so many of us, the rose that we adore.”
A post shared by Ava DuVernay (@ava)
A photo posted by on
DuVernay's known for her own efforts to break boundaries and bring inclusivity to Hollywood. As director of A Wrinkle in Time, she became the first woman of color to direct a live-action film with a budget of more than $100 million. She also founded ARRAY, an indie-film-distribution company that supports movies made by women and people of color.
And she recognized Tyson as one of the people to come before her. “We’re proud to honor you tonight, and to finally say, ‘And the winner is: Cicely Tyson.’”
Watch her full speech above, as well as Tyson's acceptance speech, here:
For more celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Prince William and Prince Harry Rift: "Happy Families Are Not a Game That Everyone Can Play," Says Expert
Yeesh.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Pierce Brosnan Gave His Wife Keely 60 Roses for Her 60th Birthday
These two!!!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Travis Kelce Jerseys Have Seen a "400% Spike in Sales" Amid Rumored Taylor Swift Romance
The power this woman has...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors