Accepting the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award on Wednesday, 44-year old "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes credited the women who came before her for breaking the glass ceiling so she can make her own mark in Hollywood.

The awarding ceremony was held at Milk Studios in Hollywood during the Hollywood Reporter's annual Women In Entertainment breakfast.

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"When I finally hit that ceiling, I think it just exploded into dust. My sisters who came before me had already handled it," she stated.

Tony Goldwyn, the actor portraying the role of fictitious US president Fitzgerald Grant III on "Scandal", presented Rhimes with the award. First lady Michelle Obama, on the other hand, gave praise to Rhimes via video.

Former Paramount chief Sherry Lansing, the award's namesake, admitted that she is absolutely obsessed with "Scandal" and Rhimes' other television work, including "Grey's Anatomy" and "How to Get Away with Murder".

"Shonda has literally redefined the role of women in television, and in doing so, in society as well," 70-year old Lansing declared during the event.

Aside from Rhimes, a tribute was also held during the event in honor of late comedian, Joan Rivers. The said tribute was led by her daughter Melissa and comedian Sarah Silverman.

Melissa shared that her mom would be floored with the amount of love she received in the event.

"She would be sitting at the table beaming, while discreetly shoving croissants and silverware in her purse," Melissa joked.

Actress Angelina Jolie was present in the event as well to give scholarship awards to members of the Women in Entertainment mentorship program. The said program pairs female Hollywood executives with exceptional, yet impoverished, students.

Other stars who were in attendance were Jay Leno (who hosted the event), reality stars Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner,  actress Sharon Stone, actress Portia de Rossi, and NBC-Universal Cable Entertainment Group Chairperson Bonnie Hammer.

TagsShonda Rhimes, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, how to get away with murder