Kerry Washington had a winning night at the GLAAD Media Awards in L.A. The actress really can do everything. She’s got beauty, talent, and brains and succeeds in everything she does.

GLAAD gives media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting LGBT equality and acceptance. Kerry was presented with the Vanguard Award. She could have given the typical acceptance speech, but instead opted to share an inspirational message.

She said, “because, on Monday morning, people are going to click a link to hear what the woman from Scandal said at that award show, and so, I think some stuff needs to be said.” This prompted a round of applause before she continues her talk.

Her speech touched on racism, LGBT issues, and gender equality. She devoted her time on stage to talk about equal rights for citizens and how to make that a reality in the media.

She noted that “women, poor people, people of colour, people with disabilities, immigrants, gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, trans people…have been pitted against each other and made to feel like there are limited seats at the table for those of us who fall into the category of other.”

Kerry believes that the stories of sidelined people need to be told in order to prevent this from happening in the real world and on-screen.