Misty Copeland has made history after being the first African-American woman to be named a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. NY1's Lori Chung filed the following report.

Fifteen years after joining American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland becomes one of its principal dancers, the first African American woman to earn that promotion.

"I had moments of doubting myself and wanting to quit because I didn't know that there would be a future for an African-American woman to make it to this level," Copeland said.

The 32-year-old proudly posted a video on Facebook of the moment the ABT company learned of her promotion and her new place in history, forging a path many thought was closed to a woman of color.

"It's not me up here, and I'm constantly saying that. It's everyone that came before me that got me to this position, and all the little girls that can see themselves through me," he said.

"Just being African-American like she is, it's just a good idol to look up to," said 15-year-old dancer Kaeli Ware.

Young dancers like Ware, who counts Copeland as a mentor, welcome what her promotion means for the next generation.

"They said that she's really muscular and people didn't believe in her, and so I think she's just proving everyone wrong," Ware said.

"She just went for it and ignored what everyone said," said dancer Lauren Gonzalez. "It's awesome."

Her dream now a reality, Copeland says she's now focused on her craft and the lessons young dancers can take from her story.

"Be you, that you can't be anyone else, so be the best self that you can be," she said.

Copeland's first New York City performance as a principal dancer will be at Lincoln Center in October.