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Ruby Dee Honored At BET Ceremony

NEW YORK (CBS) - Ruby Dee, the actress who co-starred in the 1961 film adaption of "A Raisin in the Sun," was one of the many women honored at the 5th Annual  "Black Girls Rock!" event, which aired Sunday on BET.

PICTURES: Ruby Dee

Dee, who is also known for being a  political activist, journalist and poet, as well as an award-winning actress, was the receipt of this year's Living Legend Award.

"It's times like these that I come to understand and appreciate profoundly the empowerment and promise, the responsibility in being deemed a legend," Dee said in her acceptance speech, according to the press release.

The award show, which celebrated the power and influence of black women, also honored producer and rap artist Missy Elliot, who was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Teresa Clarke, the founder of Africa.com, who was given the Trailblazer Award.

Sunday's event, hosted by actress Nia Long, also featured musical performances by Jill Scott, Keri Hilson, Ciara and Shontelle, who performed her latest single "Impossible."

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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