When “The Bachelorette” returns on Monday night with its milestone 20th season, the franchise will continue to make history with leading lady Charity Lawson.

Lawson is the fourth Black woman on the long-running dating series, following Rachel Lindsay (who starred in Season 13 in 2017), Tayshia Adams and Michelle Young. Over the years, “The Bachelor” has faced criticism for its lack of diversity but has pledged to increase its efforts, which have been seen on-screen in recent seasons.

As the star of a primetime network show whose love story will be broadcast to millions, Lawson doesn’t take her role lightly.

“I found myself really advocating a lot for my needs or my concerns as a Bachelorette,” Lawson tells Variety. “Being [a] woman of color, but the second monoracial Black woman, to be in this role was huge. They are making strides slowly but surely.”

Lawson says she was vocal with producers about...