This year, black actresses and female creators alike dominated the NAACP Image Awards in almost every major category. From Entertainer of the Year to Outstanding Motion Picture, last night’s female wins — and their words — were truly a force to be reckoned with.

Per the official press release, the evening opened with a #TIMESUP presentation led by Angela Robinson, Kerry Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe, and Tracee Ellis Ross. The ensemble of women urged both the crowd and viewers to become more active voters and, as Cox eloquently put it, “Stand by us. Stand for us. Stand with us.”

The various outstanding performance categories recognized Octavia Spencer (“Gifted”), Tracee Ellis Ross (“black-ish”), and Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”).

Women were also recognized for their work in literature, music, and documentary. Amanda Lipitz’s “Step” received Outstanding Documentary.

Furthermore, despite its absence at past award shows, “Girls Trip” took home the award for Outstanding Motion Picture. Tiffany Haddish also received Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work in the box office hit.

In her speech, Entertainer of the Year Ava DuVernay emphasized the sentiment of the evening, that “this is our time.” She stressed the importance of supporting each other’s art and lifting each other up in a time where darkness “seems to be all around us.”

Director Kathryn Bigelow, whose film “Detroit” won for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture, also stressed the importance of vigilance and justice. She stated, “Given the racist and xenophobic views emanating from The White House this week, largely unchallenged in the halls of power, we must remain vigilant and uncompromising in demanding our leaders reflect our highest ideals as an inclusive democracy.”

Check out Bigelow’s full speech and the list of female winners below. List adapted from Variety.

I am so grateful to the NAACP for recognizing DETROIT as this year’s Outstanding Independent Motion Picture. The film tells the story of events which took place at Detroit’s Algiers Motel in 1967 as civil unrest erupted in many of our great American cities. The endemic racism, social inequality and abuse of power which precipitated this tragedy persist today as real threats to our freedom and the integrity of our social fabric.

Given the racist and xenophobic views emanating from The White House this week, largely unchallenged in the halls of power, we must remain vigilant and uncompromising in demanding our leaders reflect our highest ideals as an inclusive democracy.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and legacy, I’m reminded of his words in 1963, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

I share this honor with our talented and brave cast, peerless crew, my writing partner Mark Boal and the visionary team at Annapurna.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Ava DuVernay

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Octavia Spencer — “Gifted” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Motion Picture

“Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross — “`black-ish “ (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Taraji P. Henson — “Empire” (FOX)

The winners of the Non-Televised Categories for the 49th NAACP Image Awards are:

Television

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Marsai Martin — “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Naturi Naughton — “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited -Series or Dramatic Special

Queen Latifah — “Flint” (Lifetime)

Outstanding News/ Information — (Series or Special)

“Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series

“The Real” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)

Recording

Outstanding New Artist

SZA (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Female Artist

Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Petite Afrique” — Somi (Sony Music/OKeh)

Literature

Outstanding Literary Work — Debut Author

“No One Is Coming to Save Us” — Stephanie Powell Watts (Author), (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work — Biography / Autobiography

“Becoming Ms. Burton — From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women” — Susan Burton (Author), Cari Lynn (Author), Michelle Alexander (Foreword By), (The New Press)

Outstanding Literary Work — Instructional

“The Awakened Woman: Remembering & Reigniting our Sacred Dreams “ — Dr. Tererai Trent (Author), Oprah Winfrey (Foreword By), (Simon and Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work — Poetry

“Incendiary Art: Poems” — Patricia Smith (Author), (TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press)

Outstanding Literary Work — Children

“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History “ — Vashti Harrison (Author), (Hachette Book Group)

Outstanding Literary Work — Youth / Teens

“Clayton Byrd Goes Underground” — Rita Williams-Garcia, (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator), (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers)

Motion Picture

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Tiffany Haddish — “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

“Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)

Documentary

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

“STEP” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Writing

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Janine Barrois — “Claws” — Batsh*t (TNT)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

Gina Prince-Bythewood — “Shots Fired” — Hour One: Pilot (Fox)

ANIMATED/CGI

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

Tiffany Haddish — “Legends of Chamberlain Heights” (Comedy Central)