Inspiring words from the Golden Globes’ female winners

Last night saw Hollywood’s elite descend on the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles for the 76th annual Golden Globes Awards. Bohemian Rhapsody and The Green Book dominated the winnings, while many of the winners gave emotional speeches to thank the industry and the teams that made it happen.

The atmosphere of the evening was decidedly female-forward, as the women winners of the night used their time on stage to thank the #TimesUp movement and to speak about everything from workplace equality to gender roles.

A highlight of the night was Glenn Closes’ win for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in The Wife. It was widely presumed that the award would go to Lady Gaga for the commercially popular A Star is Born, and Close herself looked surprised at the announcement. But when she got on stage was when she truly shone as a worthy winner. Close gave an emotional speech about the rights of women to break out of gender roles in the home and reach for “personal fulfilment”, which was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

“I feel what I’ve learned through this whole experience is that women, we’re nurturers — that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children and we have our husbands, if we’re lucky enough, and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfilment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say “I can do that and I should be allowed to do that” — Glenn Close

Another feminist moment of the evening was that of Regina King’s win as Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk. She talked proudly over the looming exit music, citing her responsibility, and that of the other attendees, to support women in the industry, and pledged to ensure that her future projects would have 50% women on their teams.

“The reason why we do this is because we understand that our microphones are big and we are speaking for everyone. And I just want to say that I’m going to use my platform right now to say in the next two years, everything that I produce, I’m making a vow — it’s going to be tough — to make sure that everything that I produce that is 50% women. And I just challenge anyone out there — anyone out there who is in a position of power, not just in our industry, in all industries — I challenge you to challenge yourselves and stand with us in solidarity and do the same.” — Regina King

Hollywood legend Carol Burnett took to the stage to accept the very first award of her name to recognise her lifetime dedicated to the craft of film and TV. Burnett jokingly asked if she could accept the award every year from now on, before launching into a humble and joyful speech that left many in the room emotional.

“To all those who made my dreams come true, and to all those out there who share the love I have for television and yearn to be part of this unique medium that has been so good to me. I’m just happy our show happened when it did, and I can look back and say I’m so glad we had this time together” — Carol Burnett

And of course, who could forget the absolute joy that is Olivia Colman. The British actress won the coveted award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite. She was visibly overjoyed at receiving the award and gave a speech that delighted viewers. While not dedicating her time to larger social causes, Colman reminded us all to revel in our successes and to revel in the joy of luxuries too.

“I would like to tell you how much this film meant to me but I can’t think of it because I’m too excited.” “I went on a private jet and I ate constantly through the film and it was brilliant and I promise I will keep on enjoying this, because it’s amazing” — Olivia Colman