Read Michelle Yeoh’s full Academy Award acceptance speech

With her Academy Award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Michelle Yeoh becomes the first Asian woman to take home a leading acting statuette.

Yeoh is only the second Asian actor to be nominated in the category. In 1936, Merle Oberon, who kept her South Asian heritage a secret, was nominated for his performance in “The Dark Angel.”

Here’s Yeoh’s full acceptance speech:

“Thank you, thank you. To all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibility. This is proof that…dream big, and dream big.” do come true And ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you’ve ever been past your prime. Never give up.

“I wouldn’t be here tonight without the Daniels, without A24, without my incredible cast and crew. Without everyone who was involved in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

“I have to dedicate this to my mom, to all the moms in the world, because they really are the superheroes and without them, none of us would be here tonight. He is 84 years old and I will bring this home to him. She is watching right now in Malaysia, KL, with my family and friends. I love you guys, I bring this home to you.

“And also to my extended family in Hong Kong, where I started my career. Thank you for allowing me to stand on your shoulders, giving me a head start so that I can be here today. And to my godchildren, to my sisters, to all of them. To my brothers, oh God, to my family. Thanks thanks!

“Thanks to the Academy. This is history in the making. Thank you!”