She earned this accolade for her supporting role as Mammy in the 1940 film Gone With the Wind. Initially, Hattie secured minor roles due to the limited opportunities for AfricanAmericans in Hollywood. However, her talent quickly paved the way for more significant roles, culminating in her iconic performance in Gone With the Wind. Throughout her career, she faced criticism for accepting stereotypical roles such as servants and slaves. Hattie defended her choices, asserting that she used her acting and singing talents to challenge and break racial stereotypes rather than simply criticize them. Amid all her struggles, one person stood by her until the end: Clark Gable.