Hilary Swank fought back tears when she was honored for her work in recent humanitarian movie Freedom Writers at the Time For Peace Awards on Thursday night.

An emotional Swank struggled to maintain her composure when the film's director Richard LaGravenese presented her with the award at the Bel Air Hotel event in Bel Air, California.

Swank said, "It's a reminder that I was able to be a part of a movie that is so important. It's one of those stories where you learn how one person can make a difference in someone else's life."

In "Freedom Writers," Swank plays a teacher who inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance and pursue education beyond high school.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)