Occupation:  Actress, artist and visionary

Contribution:  As one of Canada’s most recognized actresses, Tonya Lee Williams is best known for her role as Dr. Olivia Winters on television’s top daytime drama The Young and the Restless. Today, she strategically balances roles as actress, producer, director, writer, entrepreneur, activist and artist. Her passion for film led to the creation of the ReelWorld Film Festival, an entertainment and business summit that engages issues of inclusion and diversity within the entertainment industry.

Inspiration:  “I’ve always loved stories. Acting is storytelling and I have an arts side that needs to be satisfied. I remember seeing Diahann Carroll on [the show] Juila. She was not playing the domestic role that is usually given to Blacks, instead she was playing a nurse. My mom was a nurse and it made me feel so proud to see a Black woman on TV telling that story. Once I got that fire ignited, I drove myself to be successful.”

Advice to young women:  “If you want to enter this industry, be realistic. It’s a very tough business. Ask yourself what you are bringing to the table that is different from everyone else. Everyone is looking for the easy ticket — girls want to put on a lot of makeup, wear tight clothes and try to make it. I think that is dehumanizing. If you are in it for the long haul, you will definitely need more.”

Befriend Sway on Facebook

Sway with us on Twitter