Photos: The Evolution of Cicely Tyson

A look back at Cicely Tyson’s bold roles.

Blazing a Trail - Throughout her career, actress Cicely Tyson has enchanted audiences with her striking beauty and passionate performances on screens big and small. On March 19, during BET Network’s Leading Women Defined summit in Washington, D.C., the legendary actress was honored for her infallible ability to bring bold, Black female characters to life in roles that shook up the status quo in Hollywood. Take a look back at some of her most dynamic roles.— Britt Middleton The Bill Cosby Show (1970),  as Mildred Hermosa. (Photo: Bill Cosby, Jemmin, Inc.)

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Blazing a Trail - Throughout her career, actress Cicely Tyson has enchanted audiences with her striking beauty and passionate performances on screens big and small. On March 19, during BET Network’s Leading Women Defined summit in Washington, D.C., the legendary actress was honored for her infallible ability to bring bold, Black female characters to life in roles that shook up the status quo in Hollywood. Take a look back at some of her most dynamic roles.— Britt Middleton The Bill Cosby Show (1970),  as Mildred Hermosa. (Photo: Bill Cosby, Jemmin, Inc.)

Sounder (1972) - Sounder, as Rebecca Morgan. (Photo: Radnitz/Mattel Productions)

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Sounder (1972) - Sounder, as Rebecca Morgan. (Photo: Radnitz/Mattel Productions)

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is about a Black woman who was born a slave in 1852 and then deals with the oppression of Jim Crow until she joins the civil rights movement. (Photo: Tomorrow Entertainment)

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The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, as Jane Pittman. (Photo: Tomorrow Entertainment)

Roots (1977) - Roots, as Binta. (Photo: Fotos INternational/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Roots (1977) - Roots, as Binta. (Photo: Fotos INternational/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Wilma (1977) - Wilma, as Blanche Rudolph. (Photo: Cappy Productions)

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Wilma (1977) - Wilma, as Blanche Rudolph. (Photo: Cappy Productions)

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A Woman Called Moses (1978) - A Woman Called Moses, as Harriet Ross Tubman. (Photo: Henry Jaffee Enterprises)

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A Woman Called Moses (1978) - A Woman Called Moses, as Harriet Ross Tubman. (Photo: Henry Jaffee Enterprises)

Lorraine and Theresa, The Women of Brewster Place - In the mini-series based on the book The Women Of Brewster Place, Lonette McKee and Paula Kelly played lesbian couple Lorraine andTheresa, who lived in the projects and struggled with racism, homophobia and poverty. (Photo: Harpo Productions)

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The Women of Brewster Place (1989) - The Women of Brewster Place, as Mrs. Browne. (Photo: Harpo Productions)

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) - Fried Green Tomatoes, as Sipsey. (Photo: Act III Communications, Avnet/Kerner Productions)

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Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) - Fried Green Tomatoes, as Sipsey. (Photo: Act III Communications, Avnet/Kerner Productions)

Sweet Justice (1995) - Sweet Justice, as Carrie Grace Battle. (Photo: Columbia Pictures Television)

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Sweet Justice (1995) - Sweet Justice, as Carrie Grace Battle. (Photo: Columbia Pictures Television)

Touched by an Angel (2000) - Touched by an Angel, as Abby. (Photo: CBS Productions)

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Touched by an Angel (2000) - Touched by an Angel, as Abby. (Photo: CBS Productions)

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The Rosa Parks Story (2002) - The Rosa Parks Story, as Leona Edwards McCauley. (Photo: Chotzen/Jenner Productions)

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The Rosa Parks Story (2002) - The Rosa Parks Story, as Leona Edwards McCauley. (Photo: Chotzen/Jenner Productions)

Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) - Diary of a Mad Black Woman, as Myrtle. (Photo: Diary of a Woman Productions)

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Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) - Diary of a Mad Black Woman, as Myrtle. (Photo: Diary of a Woman Productions)

Idlewild (2006) - Idlewild, as Mother Hopkins. (Photo: Atlas Entertainment)

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Idlewild (2006) - Idlewild, as Mother Hopkins. (Photo: Atlas Entertainment)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Ondine Burdett. (Photo: Wolf Films)

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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2009) - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as Ondine Burdett. (Photo: Wolf Films)

Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) - Why Did I Get Married Too?, as Ola. (Photo: Lions Gate, Tyler Perry Company)

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Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010) - Why Did I Get Married Too?, as Ola. (Photo: Lions Gate, Tyler Perry Company)

The Help (2011) - The Help, as Constantine Jefferson. (Photo: dreamworks SKG)

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The Help (2011) - The Help, as Constantine Jefferson. (Photo: dreamworks SKG)