Octavia Spencer praised by domestic workers for her Golden Globes speech

Octavia Jones took home an award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as outspoken maid Minny Jackson in The Help at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, but that isn’t the honor the actress is receiving.

During Spencer’s acceptance speech, the Montgomery, AL native accepted the award on behalf of domestic workers the world over, and went on to cite the important role domestic workers play in society. “With regard to domestics in this country, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best: All labor that uplifts dignity in this country is worthwhile,” she said.

Following Spencer’s big win, the National Domestic Workers Alliance cheering on the actress for her award, and thanking her for putting domestic workers in the spotlight. The statement reads:

“Domestic workers around the country watched with pride …. After generations of exclusion and invisibility, we are so grateful to Octavia for helping bring recognition and light to this workforce. And we’re thankful for all of the performances in ‘The Help’ that gave life and dignity to domestic workers stories.”

“We have a dream that one day all work will be valued equally. Together we can be ‘the help’ needed to bring respect to domestic work.”

You can check out a post-award interview session with Octavia Spencer directly below.

Did you like Octavia Spencer in The Help?

[Image credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press]