In a career that spanned nearly seven decades, the legendary trailblazer broke stereotypes with her portrayals of strong black women on screen.

Cicely Tyson’s career was iconic. In her long and successful acting career, she earned 11 Emmy nominations, among other awards. Her career was diverse, from her breakout role in Sounder (1972) to her guest appearances on ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder, Tyson was sure to give performances audiences would remember.

Following the news of her death at age 96, it’s no surprise that the tributes would come from some of the most prolific figures in Hollywood.

One of those tributes came from prolific producer and screenwriter, Shonda Rhimes. As previously mentioned, Tyson had a memorable reoccurring role on Rhimes’ hit show How to Get Away With Murder.

“I really need this not to be true,” Rhimes wrote on Twitter. She followed her message with a beautiful tribute to Tyson, recognizing the path she set for black women in the industry. These portrayals earned Tyson Emmy and Tony awards.

“She was an extraordinary person,” Rhimes said. “She had so much to teach. And I still have so much to learn.”

Actress Viola Davis expressed how influential Tyson was, not only in her life, but the lives of so many other young black girls.

“You made me feel loved and seen and valued in a world where there is still a cloak of invisibility for us dark chocolate girls,” Davis wrote. “You gave me permission to dream.”

A few days before Tyson’s passing, her memoir “Just as I Am” was published. In an interview with CBS This Morning’s Gayle King, Tyson talked about her life and legacy.

King shared a portion of this interview on Twitter, thanking the actor for her life and legacy.

Tyson will be remembered, not only for the barriers that were broken down by her work, but also for her portrayals of nuanced characters. Her roles were inspiring and showed women of color that they could be whoever they wanted to be.

A family statement did not reveal the cause of death.