Viola Davis’ story is one of resilience, strength, and triumph. The only surviving image of her childhood is a kindergarten photo — a haunting reminder of the young girl who, even at that early age, understood what it meant to go without.
Viola Davis, 59, is a true powerhouse of our time. When you think of exceptional acting, her name is undoubtedly at the forefront. I always thought she was a beautiful person inside and out, but after learning about her tragic past, she deserves everything and more.
A childhood marked by hardship
Viola Davis was born on August 11, 1965, in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Nearly 59 years ago, she entered the world in a small, one-room shack on her grandmother’s farm — a piece of land that had once been part of a plantation.
Her early years were shaped by poverty and hardship.
Her mother worked as a maid and was a dedicated activist during the Civil Rights Movement. At just two years old, Davis was taken to jail alongside her mother after she was arrested during a protest for civil rights.
