It was a good night for women at the 23rd annual Critics' Choice Awards. The ceremony, held Thursday at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, honored women-centered stories like "Big Little Lies," "The Handmaid's Tale" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." The blockbuster "Wonder Woman" was named best action movie of the year and Israeli star Gal Gadot accepted a special award for challenging gender stereotypes.
Gadot was honored with the #SeeHer prize that acknowledges women who "push boundaries on changing stereotypes and recognize the importance of accurately portraying women across the entertainment landscape."
"Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins presented Gadot with the award, noting that the young Israeli actress did not take the role for the money or the fame.
"She did it for us. She knew the great importance of this character and what she could mean to the world if well done," Jenkins said.
Gadot's acceptance speech struck a chord with everyone at the ceremony, and was lauded as a heartfelt and empowering message to women everywhere.
"Throughout my career, I was always asked to describe my dream role. And it was clear to me that I wanted to play a strong and independent woman, a real one. And the irony in this is that later, I was cast as Wonder Woman. And all of these qualities I looked for, I found in her," Gadot said to the character of the Amazonian Diana Prince.
"She's full of heart, strength, compassion and forgiveness. She sees wrong that must be made right. She takes action when everyone around her is idle. She commands the attention of the world, and in doing so, she sets a positive example for humanity.
"Wonder Woman also struggles with her own love and hopes. She gets confused, insecure, and she's not perfect. And that's what makes her real," she said.
Gadot also touched on the recent harassment epidemic that has shaken the entertainment industry.
"As artists and filmmakers, I believe it's not only our job to entertain, but our duty to inspire and educate for love and respect," she said.
"In the past weeks and months, we've been witnessing a movement in our industry and society. And I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right, standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves.
"My promise and commitment to all of you is that I will never be silenced, and we will continue [to] band together to make strides, uniting for equality," Gadot concluded to roaring applauds.
