MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Issa Rae said she feels women's voices have been amplified in the film and television worlds and she's happy to be part of the group leading the change and opening doors for others.
"I do think there's a renaissance in so many different ways," the actress said at NFL's Women's Summit on Friday. "We have a newfound power, a newly rediscovered power. We're like, 'We can speak up, and we can get stuff done, and we can make a change, and we can reclaim our stories.'
"It just seems so much more attainable (for women) because you are seeing a shift behind the scenes."
Rae's words come on the heels of Greta Gerwig's historic Oscar nomination for best director with "Lady Bird," making her just the fifth woman nominated for the prestigious prize.
There have been major wins by women's stories on television at the recent Emmy and Golden Globe Awards by HBO's "Big Little Lies" and Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale," shows where actresses Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Elisabeth Moss also serve as executive producers.
Director Ava DuVernay made history with her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, while Shonda Rhimes continues to be a force on television, launching hits on ABC with "How to Get Away with Murder," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal."
When asked by Maria Menounos about there being one opportunity for a minority actor or a woman on a show or project, Rae said, "The one slot thing is ridiculous but there's truth to it.
"Because I think a lot of executives, people who put stuff on television have that mentality of, 'Oh, we have our black show, so sorry. Maybe try NBC.' And that's really discouraging in a way because there's so many stories to tell."
"Insecure," which Rae created, produces and stars in, earned her two Golden Globe nominations and will return for its third season this year. It's based on her hit web series, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."
She said going from YouTube to HBO "was a long journey of brokenness, you know. The first episode cost me $25."