Kerry Washington Is Hasty Pudding's Woman Of The Year

Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals has named actress Kerry Washington its Woman of the Year.

Washington plays Olivia Pope on the hit television show "Scandal," which is in its fourth season. According to a press release from Hasty Pudding announcing the award, Washington is the first African-American woman to headline a network TV drama since 1974.

"The Pudding is proud to honor a talented and socially engaged film, TV and stage actress who keeps breaking barriers in Hollywood," the statement said.

Washington will be treated to the Harvard group's traditional Woman of the Year celebration: a parade through Harvard Square followed by a roast in Washington's honor. Washington will then receive her "Pudding Pot" at Farkas Hall, Hasty Pudding's home since 1888.

Hasty Pudding's Woman of the Year award was established in 1951. Recent winners include Helen Mirren and Amy Poehler.

Correction: An earlier version of this story said Washington is the first African-American woman to headline a network TV drama since 1794. That is obviously not correct. We regret the typo.