1949: Shirley Dinsdale, first ever recipient of the Emmy Award.[15] 1985: Karen Arthur, first woman to win an Emmy Award for directing (Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Cagney & Lacey.)[16] 2015: Uzo Aduba, the first actress to win both a drama and comedy Emmy Award for the same role.[17] 2015: Viola Davis, first African-American to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.[18]