On Tuesday, June 30th, Misty Copeland received a historic promotion at American Ballet Theater. She became the first African-American female to be promoted to principal in the company’s entire 75 year existence.

At a press conference held the same day is her promotion, Misty described, “I had moments of doubting myself, and wanting to quit, because I didn’t know that there would be a future for an African-American woman to make it to this level. At the same time, it made me so hungry to push through, to carry the next generation. So it’s not me up here — and I’m constantly saying that — it’s everyone that came before me that got me to this position.”

Misty joined ABT in April of 2001 and was appointed a soloist in August of 2007. She never been shy about her desire to become the first black woman to be named a principal dancer at the company.

Under Armour congratulated Misty by calling her “a woman who is driven not by her detractors, but by her desire to be great.” The company also organized a social media congratulations campaign for Misty, through which they delivered her an SUV full of flowers! Thanks, Under Armour!

“I never saw a ballerina who looked like me before,” Misty has said. “And I’m here to be a vessel for all these brown ballerinas who have come before me.”