Actress Uzo Aduba revealed that the character she portrayed in Mrs. America named Shirley Chisholm inspired her to honor Breonna Taylor during the Emmy awards. The 39-year-old actress won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category on Sept. 20 and she took the opportunity and "represent the voiceless".
Aduba donned a shirt that had Taylor's name written. In an interview with Kevin Frazier, Aduba said that she was fortunate enough to work on Mrs. America and portray the character that often represents the voiceless.
"I had the great fortune of working on a show like Mrs. America, playing a woman who made it her life's work to represent the voiceless and take up space for people who often go missing in the story, whose voices don't get to be heard," she said explaining her character's story.
Aduba portrays Chisholm who was elected as the first United States Congress as a Black woman. Chisholm turned out to be the first nominee of President of the United States as a Black candidate. Moreover, she became the first Black woman official to run for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.
The actress said that she knows the night is about celebration but at the same time, she doesn't want to ignore the world outside. Aduba said that she wants to get a part of that world inside while she follows the path of Chisholm.
The 26-year-old Taylor was shot by the officials in her own apartment on March 13 at Louisville, Kentucky. While two policemen involved in the incident has been sent on leave, one of the policemen was shot. Although none of the officers have booked under any charge so far.
The actress further said that she is glad the story of Chisholm has been revealed to the viewers and it means a lot to be a part of Taylor's case in order to bring justice. Aduba finds it fascinating that Chisholm has been first of so many great things such as running for president, being in congress, and so on.
The actress noted that it is a fantastic honor to her legacy. While she spoke about a bunch of women supporting her such as Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson, and Rose Byrne, she mentioned her upcoming album, Orange Is the New Black which is delayed on Emmy. Although due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic all the celebrities attended the award ceremony from their respective houses.