Actress Eva Longoria was feted with Variety Latino's first-ever Visionary Award at the inaugural 10 Latinos to Watch ceremony on Tuesday night (29Sep15).

The former Desperate Housewives star was given the honor in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Latinos through entertainment and philanthropy.

She was presented the prize by Roselyn Sanchez, who stars in Longoria's TV series Devious Maids. Sanchez praised her friend for being an inspiration to many, and even urged the actress run for office.

Longoria took the stage at Hollywood's Avalon venue to accept the prize, and used the platform to encourage her fellow Latinos to "shape the narrative of how this country defines" them.

"It's not only an opportunity, but a responsibility to make sure others recognize all the contributions we are bringing to American pop culture and society in general."

She also used her acceptance speech to subtly take aim at presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who stunned Latinos in June (15) when he suggested many Mexican immigrants to America were "rapists".

Longoria added, "It's our responsibility to make sure we are not what people see on the news - that being Latino is not synonymous with being illegal, that being Latino is not synonymous with being undocumented or not from here.

"It’s up to the people in this room to support each other. So many beautiful, young people, all these 10 Latinos To Watch, there are about 100 to watch and all you guys who have not been recognized."

Among the others feted at the ceremony were actor Diego Boneta, Orange Is The New Black's Diane Guerrero, and How To Get Away With Murder actress Karla Souza.