Kerry Washington will be honored with one of The National Women’s History Museum’s Women Making History awards, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The “Scandal” star will be among three honorees at the Museum’s prize-giving in Los Angeles this year — the others being Instagram COO Marne Levine, and Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of SpaceX.
The Museum bestows its Women Making History awards annually, both in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. The awards aim to celebrate the achievements of women from all walks of life who are pioneers in their respective fields. Among this year’s D.C. honorees were former first lady Laura Bush, and former Treasurer Rosie Rios.
National Women’s History Museum board chair Susan Whiting said that the actress “broke barriers by becoming the first African-American woman to headline a network TV drama since 1974.” She was referring, of course, to Washington’s role as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes’s hit political thriller, which has earned the actress SAG, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominations.
Washington joins fellow actresses Viola Davis and Tracee Ellis Ross who are previous recipients of the Museum’s LA Award. Washington — who it was announced last month is set to team up with Eva Longoria in workplace comedy “24–7” from screenwriter Sarah Rothschild — will receive the award at a special brunch event at the Beverly Hills Hotel on September 16.
