1989: Voted into the NAACP image award Hall of Fame with husband Ossie Davis.
1995: She and husband Ossie Davis were awarded the American National Medal of the Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, DC.
2004: Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Elton John, Joan Sutherland, John Williams, Warren Beatty and husband Ossie Davis.
Attended Hunter College.
Has three children, Nora, Guy Davis and Hasna.
In 2008, at the age of 83, she became the second oldest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award. The oldest is Gloria Stuart.
Is an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
One of 105 people invited to join AMPAS in 2008.
Says her favorite quote comes from the book, "Charlotte's Web": "'Isn't Life peculiar!' said Jeremy. 'Compared to what?' said the spider.".
She is a member of the NAACP, CORE, Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Southern Christian Leadership Council.