#15: The First African American Nominee – The Oscars

Hattie McDaniel made history at the 1940 Oscars when she became the first African American to win an Oscar, taking home Best Supporting Actress as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. McDaniel’s win was groundbreaking, but it also came with its own set of challenges.

She was not allowed to attend the ceremony with her white co-stars due to segregation laws and had to sit at a segregated table. Despite these obstacles, McDaniel’s win was a triumph and an essential milestone in Hollywood’s struggle for racial equality.