Known to millions of fans worldwide as Clair Huxtable from "The Cosby Show," Phylicia earned two Emmy Award nominations and a People's Choice Award for Favorite Television Female Performer during her eight years on the show. She also earned an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Ruth Lucas on "Cosby."

She became the first black actress to win a TONY Award for a dramatic leading role in Raisin in the Sun. She has also appeared on Broadway in Into The Woods, Jelly's Last Jam, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, and Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death. Rashad made her debut as executive producer, co-producing and co-starring with her sister, Debbie Allen, in The Old Settler, a production that launched the new PBS national television drama series PBS Hollywood Presents.

She is a recipient of Harvard University's Foundation Award and is an active participant in charitable and non-profit organizations. She supports the work of the PRASAD Project, an international charitable organization designed to help communities by giving them the tools and opportunities they need for self-reliance. She is also committed to the mission of Children's Hospital, which provides premium pediatric health care and services to children in the District of Columbia and to RNT--Recruiting New Teachers. In addition to supporting these organizations, Ms. Rashad is dedicated to communicating the importance of the Fine Arts in education.

Rashad is especially vocal in the fight against diabetes; her father fell victim to heart disease linked to complications from diabetes. She is also dedicated to several women's causes, including domestic violence awareness, balancing professional and personal lives, and women's health issues. She has also served as a spokeswoman of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. She was also close friends with Madeline Kahn, who died of ovarian cancer and has become an advocate for research and awareness of the disease.

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