The women of Harriet are set to receive the 2020 Stanley Kramer Award from the Africam American Film Critics Association (AAFCA).

Harriet star Cynthia Erivo, the film’s director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons, and producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg will be honored.

According to AAFCA, the Stanley Kramer Award for Social Justice “recognizes filmmakers who work in the vein of Kramer who left a robust film legacy of such socially conscious films as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Defiant Ones, Inherit the Wind and Judgment at Nuremberg, challenging the critical social issues of the day.” Previous winners of the award include Quincy Jones, Rob Reiner and Sidney Poitier.

“This is the year of the woman–and no one epitomizes that more than the true story of Harriet Tubman. Her escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s most renowned freedom fighters shows her fierce passion and courage,” shared Kramer’s widow, Karen, in a statement. “The prestigious Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award is presented to Cynthia Erivo and the remarkable director/co-writer Kasi Lemmons and producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg who brought Harriet to life. Thanks to their collective efforts, Erivo’s riveting performance leaves no doubt that Tubman’s contributions go beyond gender and ensure that she will be forever hailed as one of our nation’s MOST important ‘sheroes.'”

“It has been our privilege to partner with the Kramer family to recognize artists who understand the power they possess and who use it to move society forward. AAFCA is absolutely thrilled to salute the women who created the first-ever big-screen biopic of the incredible Harriet Tubman who was an amazing social leader and trailblazer. Her courage, conviction and sacrifice is a testament to the best of the human spirit,” said AAFCA co-founder and president, Gil Robertson.

The award will be presented on January 22, 2020, at the 11th AAFCA Awards.

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Photo: GP Images/Getty Images for ICONINK

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