Taraji P. Henson's 2024 TIME Women of the Year Toast

TIME

Actress, entrepreneur, activist, and producer Taraji P. Henson began her toast discussing the need to “shine light in the dark places,” which she has tried to do throughout her career as an entertainer.

Transcript

00:00 I tried to be the light on stage,

00:02 hoping to burn a fire in someone's heart

00:06 so they'd never forget to dream,

00:09 to remember, to empathize,

00:12 to be enraged, to just to feel something, anything.

00:17 But I don't take the credit for this.

00:21 I've always been clear that I'm being used.

00:25 We're all being used as conduits for change,

00:29 allowing the energy and light to flow through

00:32 and manifest anew.

00:34 Now, some of us focus on the good energy

00:38 and some of us not so good, but we won't say names.

00:41 I'm just gonna sit in my seat,

00:44 focus on the chalkboard,

00:46 and bubble in the answer this time.

00:49 See what I did there?

00:50 (laughing)

00:52 Still the in-house entertainer.

00:55 I admit those lessons have helped me in some situations,

01:00 but what I learned as I grew older

01:03 from all of my light-bearing predecessors

01:07 is when to fall out of line.

01:09 From black women leading the way to freedom

01:13 from the swampy terrains of the South

01:15 to women organizing countless movements

01:18 for equality and our rights,

01:20 I want every woman to demand the windows in the room,

01:25 make paper airplanes out of those papers we draw bubbles on

01:30 when you're not invited or not giving a seat at the table.

01:34 In spite of it all, we must still make room for the light.

01:39 To my fellow recipients, congratulations.

01:44 Congratulations, you rock, all of you.

01:46 It's an honor to share this space with you,

01:50 and let's continue to light the pathway

01:53 for every human to access his inherent right

01:57 to safety, belonging, and dignity.

02:02 Keep setting the world on fire with your light.

02:05 It is needed.

02:06 Burn, baby, burn.

02:09 Thank you so much.

02:11 I'm so honored, thank you.

02:12 (audience applauding)

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