Kerry Washington insists it’s important for women to support one another and believes this would only happen if everyone learns to work together.

She shared while speaking at Sundance Film Festival’s Annual Women in Film Brunch: “[Progress] will take courage on all of our parts. Sometimes the people who are in charge of those rooms, they want us to feel lucky to be in the room.

And we are because we’re all really blessed to be doing what we do … but that doesn’t mean that I don’t get to bring other people with me.

Being alone in the room is exhausting … you feel like you have to stand up for the entire gender or race … A woman who shouts out other women? That’s just something we all have to do.”

Meanwhile, Kerry – who has two children with husband Nnamdi Asomugha – previously admitted she doesn’t enjoy playing “by other people’s rules.”

“I think that’s where the need for quiet is coming from. You arrive at a certain place of achieving and suddenly you feel like your goals are being dictated by other people.

It’s really about me being in touch with what I want. I didn’t get here because I was trying to be what somebody else wanted me to be … I am not interested in playing by other people’s rules. So for now, I’m leaving myself open to the adventure.”

The actress also considers Scandal showrunner Shonda Rhimes a great role model, adding: “I’ve really leaned heavily on my boss [Shonda Rhimes’] experience.

I consider myself busy, but Shonda has about four of five shows, three kids … She says, ‘If you feel like you have just the right amount of help, then you don’t have enough.’ My therapist said this too.

You need a lot of support. Not just logistically but emotionally and spiritually.”