Trisha Yearwood Looks at Accepting the June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award as a 'Challenge' at 2024 CMT Awards

Yearwood encourages others to "be a little bit less about me and a little bit more about us" as she accepts the first-ever humanitarian award at the CMT Awards

Trisha Yearwood is having her moment at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.

At Sunday's country music award show, held at the Moody Center in Austin, the singer and culinary specialist, 59, received the first-ever June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award. With the inaugural award — named for the late music icon, who dedicated much of her career to philanthropy and uplifting rising artists in the country genre — Yearwood was recognized for her work with Habitat for Humanity and her own animal rescue organization Dottie's Yard.

Actress Jane Seymour presented the award to Yearwood, who opened up in her speech how much it means to her to be mentioned in the same breath as Carter Cash and why she hopes to continue to live up to the title of the honorary award.

The "She's In Love with the Boy" singer began her speech by noting how she's "never gotten an award like this," and said, "I don't think anyone who's ever received a humanitarian award thinks they deserve it, and that is absolutely tracking right now."

As someone in the audience responded by yelling, "You deserve it," the hitmaker said, "you're very sweet," and continued by thanking CMT for the award and for naming it after the late five-time Grammy winner.

Related: Kelsea Ballerini on Hosting the 2024 CMT Awards Solo: 'It's Definitely New Grounds for Me' (Exclusive)

She described Carter Cash as "one of the most fierce, one of the coolest, most passionate women" and said she was "lucky" to have known her "a little bit." Yearwood thanked "the whole Carter family" for "allowing my name to be said in the same sentence as June's" and said, "It didn't take very long to see that she embodied the very essence that this award is about."

"June Carter Cash was a force and she was also married to a force. I know a little bit about a life like that," said Yearwood, who has been married to Garth Brooks for nearly two decades. "I know it wasn't always easy, but she found ways to make sure to keep shining in her own light and she had no bigger fan than her husband Johnny Cash. I also know a little bit about that."

The three-time Grammy winner added, "I only hope with this to be a big a part of my community and as good a friend to fellow artists as she was. It can be really hard to stand up for what is right and what you believe in. June just did it. She walked the walk. She didn't just say what she believed, she lived it, and she was strong in a very human way. So I just want to say that my hope is that we can all learn a little bit from June Carter Cash's legacy and be a little bit more real, be a little bit more vulnerable, be a little bit less about me and a little bit more about us."

Yearwood's compelling speech ended by saying she's using the coveted honor as an inspiration to continue to pursue her philanthropic work. She shared, "This is not one of those, 'Oh, look what I can do. Look what I accomplished.' I really look at this as a challenge and calling just to be better. Garth and I believe to whom much is given, much is expected, and if you know me, my mantra is 'love one another,' so my challenge to all of us is to not just say it, but to go out there and do it. Thank you."

Related: Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini and Lainey Wilson Lead 2024 CMT Awards Nominations

While Seymour — who worked with Yearwood on an episode of the TV series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman — presented her with the honor, she reflected on Carter Cash's legacy and how the "Walkaway Joe" artist relates to it.

The British star, 73, said, "Giving back wasn't just a part of her, it was an integral part of who she was. Her voice helped shaped country music, but she also used it throughout her career to advocate for the underprivileged and help emerging artists find their path. Tonight, the inaugural June Carter Cash Humanitarian Award is being given to someone who lives and breathes that same philosophy: the one and only Trisha Yearwood."

Seymour shouted out her applied to rally people "for causes she believes in," including Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project and Dottie's Yard, and noted she's "a staunch supporter of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, preserving the legacy of country music, while also lifting up new artists that continue to push the genre forward."

Check out all of PEOPLE's full CMT Awards coverage here.

CMT announced she would be receiving the award in March.

Related: Kelsea Ballerini on Hosting the 2024 CMT Awards Solo: 'It's Definitely New Grounds for Me' (Exclusive)

"Trisha has a unique ability to rally a community, whether that may be families in need with Habitat for Humanity, or uplifting her fellow artists and entertainers trying to carve a path in the industry," wrote the awards show's executive producers in a statement.

Yearwood "embodies the bold strength of June, who tirelessly devoted herself to service and community, and the namesake for this award," the statement added.

"Both multi-hyphenate trailblazers eloquently crafted a script for others to model, letting their hearts and authenticity guide their personal, professional and public lives," concluded the statement.

Later in the award show, Yearwood delivered a special performance of her new single "Put It in a Song," marking her first time on the awards show stage since 2019. The new song is set to appear on her forthcoming album.

Yearwood and Brooks, 62, currently appear on the Prime Video series Friends in Low Places, which chronicles the opening of their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk in Nashville. Yearwood previously starred in Trisha's Southern Kitchen.

Nominations for the award show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, are led by Ballerini, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney, with three each.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from Austin, Texas' Moody Center on Sunday, April 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

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