Actress Taraji Penda Henson, fifty-one, has received an honorary doctorate from Howard University before delivering the commencement address of 2022.
The American actress and singer studied acting at the university before making it to Hollywood, notably playing female characters with a whole lot of strength.
And now, thirty years after graduating with a bachelor’s degree, Taraji has been awarded an honorary doctorate in Washington D.C. on Sunday.
“I would like to take this moment to reintroduce myself: My name is Dr. Taraji Penda Henson, Howard class of 1995,” the actress began in her speech, as per the Daily Mail.
In her speech, she discussed how although now, the actress is a huge name in Hollywood, she wasn’t valued as much as she is now, back then, explaining she was underpaid for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, playing the role of Queenie.
“At the end of the day, I saw $30,000.
“I was angry. I was disgusted, and I was hurt. But instead of stewing in that negative space, instead of becoming cynical, I decided that I would allow hope not hurt [to] shape my work,” she continued.
But, even though she was disappointed with the pay, she ensured her character, Queenie, would connect with the people she represented.
“I honored all of our ancestors and sheroes who dreamed of a better future for themselves and then led lives of dignity, grace, and determination, so fiercely that it made our present possible,” Taraji said emotionally.
“Hollywood may not have paid me what my work was worth, but I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to show the world what the countless Queenies had done and what their sacrifices had meant,” she continued.
Taraji has certainly come a long way since her graduation in 1995.
And hopefully, she will continue to serve as an example of what can be done.
We love you, Taraji!