The “replacement” Oscar will go to the Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts during a ceremony titled “Hattie’s Come Home” on October 1.
McDaniel was the first African-American actress or actor to win a competitive Academy Award for acting. At the 12th Academy Awards ceremony in 1940, McDaniel was seated separately from the film’s other nominees at the segregated Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, the AMPAS press release detailed.
Similar Topic: Oscar-winning Actress Lupita Nyong'o Rumored To Star In 'The Princess and the Frog'
In her acceptance speech at the time, McDaniel said her win “has made me feel very, very humble and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry.”
McDaniel later gave her award (a plaque as opposed to a statuette) to Howard University. The award was displayed in the university’s drama department until the late 1960s, but its current whereabouts are unknown.
Phylicia Rashad, dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University will be present at the ceremony.
Here is a statement from Phylicia Rashad about the ceremony.
“When I was a student in the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, in what was then called the Department of Drama, I would often sit and gaze in wonder at the Academy Award that had been presented to Ms. Hattie McDaniel. I am overjoyed that this Academy Award is returning to what is now the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. This immense piece of history will be back in the College of Fine Arts for our students to draw inspiration from. Ms. Hattie is coming home!”
Source: CNN.com