Angelina Jolie was honored late last night at the Governor’s Awards with a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is identical to an oscar, for her humanitarian work, according to AFP. She has travelled around the world on over 40 missions since 2012 in her role as special envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency.

“It was only when I began to travel that I understood my responsibility to others.”, she said of her experiences on foreign grounds.

The poverty and suffering she saw all around her in other countries made her grateful for what she has, and made her want to do all she could to make a difference.

“When I met survivors of wars and famine, and rape, I learned what life is like for most people in this world and how fortunate I was to have food to eat, a roof above my head, a safe place to live and the joy of having my family safe and healthy,” she said.

The actress became emotional as she thanked her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, for setting an example for her to always think of others and to give back, according to the AP. “To stand here today means I did as she asked,” Jolie said. “And if she were alive, she’d be very proud.”

As reported by E!, She also thanked her husband-to-be, Brad Pitt, “My love. Your support and your guidance make everything I do possible.”

She didn’t leave out their brood of adorable kids, and oldest son Maddox, 12, accompanied his parents to the awards. “I’m not going to cry, I promise,” Jolie said to Maddox from the stage. “I’m not going to embarrass you. You and your brothers and sisters are my happiness and there is no greater honor in this world than being your mom.”

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