Michelle Yeoh has long been an icon and a legend, with or without an Oscar . But whatever happened at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night would always be about so much more. For anyone from a community that Hollywood has historically shut out, awards for better or worse often bear the weight of history.

For much of the night, many of us nervously waited with bated breath to see if she would actually win, as well as before every award for Everything Everywhere All At Once, which remarkably ended up winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Yet all of that was far from assured, given the academys abysmal history when it comes to representation and inclusion.

Perhaps no one was more aware of the weight of that history than Yeoh herself, acknowledging it in her acceptance speech.

For all the little boys and girls who look like me, watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that dream big, and dreams do come true. And ladies, dont let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up, she said.