Veteran actor and humanitarian Cicely Tyson was honored with a handprint and footprint ceremony at Los Angeles’ TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles Friday. Before traveling to the ceremony, NBCBLK spoke with Tyson about the honor and how black women are finally being recognized in the industry.

“It’s long overdue, I can tell you that,” she said. “…We’ve been a race of people that have been suppressed out of fear and finally we have been able to get a hold on the power that this industry wields. It’s certainly because of our sticktoitiveness.”

“The end result of us having hung on and the light that is shining on what has always been in us, is as bright as God’s morning star,” she said. “And that’s what we are and what we have always been, and we have always been great.”

Tyson said that for women who have been a part of the industry and women are just breaking into acting, her advice is this: “Just hold on.”

“You’re in the spotlight, just hold on and keep doing what you’re doing with what you always have: you have an opportunity now to really give the generation that will follow you what God has given you. That’s what we’re here for, to do just that,” she said. “Each one of us have a purpose for being here. And He expects you to use it, but if you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it.”

“And never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Who are they to tell you, that you cannot do something?” she said. “God gave you five senses and they are the same, no difference, so how can they tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, why do it? How? Who are they to demean you and tell you, you can’t? Don’t let anybody tell you that. That’s one of the things they have to consider. ‘Can’t’ should never be in your vocabulary, try. You may surprise yourself.”