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Last night Solange was presented with the first ever American Express Impact Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in Los Angeles. The singer’s latest album, A Seat at the Table, landed at number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts when it was released in 2016 its impact on the souls of those it was created for — us — continues to be felt more than a year later.

In accepting the award, Solange discussed the conversations she had with her dad as a younger singer and songwriter and how they led her to this very moment:

“We spoke a lot about how I would define success as an artist, and existing in my truth, she told the audience. “About silencing outside noise no matter how painful or worrying that it was, about creating with the purpose of self and getting to know myself more clearly.

“I have so much gratitude in my soul for how the way my work connected with people,” she continued. “When I think about the word impact, I can’t think of a more humbling way to articulate the mark that I would have liked to leave on the world with this work.”

The 31-year-old also acknowledged she’s not the only woman making an impact in the music world and finally getting the recognition they deserve. “It’s a new goddamn day and I’m loving it,” she declared.

Mary J. Blige was also presented with the Icon Award last night, acknowledging the decades of success she’s had in the music industry. In accepting her honor, Mary stated, “When people look up to me, I want them to see my life and have it reflect theirs and understand that if I can make it through everything that I’ve made it through and still making it through, you can do it as well.”

Click through to see all the other women in music who stepped out to honor these ladies.

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