Legendary actress and singer Rita Morena has been announced as one of this year's six recipients being awarded Kennedy Center Honors.

Moreno, who rose to super stardom in Hollywood for her 1961 role of Anita in "West Side Story" on both film and on Broadway, is one of a select few entertainers to have won an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and an Emmy throughout their career. Moreno is the only Latino entertainer to do so and is the second Puerto Rican to ever win an Oscar.

Deborah Rutter, president of the Kennedy Center, said that the latest group of honorees share a powerful common theme, reports Variety. They are "artists as history-makers and artists who defy both convention and category."

"Each honoree and their career-spanning achievements exemplify a rare quality of artistic bravery," said Rutter. "They have pushed the limits of their gifts as musicians, actors, and storytellers to inspire generations of Americans and those around the world."

Moreno's career was most recently honored by the Screen Actors Guild with a Life Achievement Award in 2014.

The 83-year-old entertainer hasn't appeared in films recently, but instead published a memoir in 2013. In the memoir, she shares moments from her life and her journey from her family's native Puerto Rico to her life in New York City during the 1950's and forward.

The nomination of Moreno is a proud moment for the Latino community. According to NBC News, in 2012, the Kennedy Center was criticized for their lack of nominations within the Latino community. The criticism resulted in revisions being done by the Kennedy Center and led to the nominations of opera singer Martina Arroya and musician Carlos Santana in 2013.

Other recipients of the award include rock band The Eagles, singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, Broadway star Cicely Tyson and conductor Seiji Ozawa. The event will be broadcast by CBS on Dec. 29.