Veteran actress Sheryl Lee Ralph was in tears as she won her first career Emmy on Monday night in Los Angeles. Ralph, who plays the tough but loving Mrs. Howard on Abbott Elementary, brought the audience to their feet after her riveting acceptance speech. 

Ralph belted, "I am an endangered species, but I sing no victim's song. I am a woman I am an artist. And I know where my voice belongs," from the popular song "Endangered Species," by Dianne Reeves.

"To anyone who has ever—ever—had a dream, and thought your dream wasn't, wouldn't, couldn't come true," she said in part, "I am here to tell you that this is what believing looks like. This is what striving looks like. And don't you ever, ever give up on you!” She also thanked Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson.

Ralph joins Jackee Harry, for her role on Sister, Sister, as the only other Black women to ever win in the catergory. 

Congrats to Sheryl Lee Ralph!