Who was the first African-American woman to win an Oscar for best actress in a leading role?

Halle Berry is the first African-American actress ever to receive an Oscar for best actress. She won a statuette in 2002 for her outstanding work in "Monster's Ball". Berry couldn't help crying during the ceremony! So shocked and emotional, she finally made her speech, enumerating the names of all the great African-American actresses. "This is 74 years here; I’ve got to take this time." Berry went on to say "This moment is for all the nameless, faceless women of color who now have a chance because this door tonight has been opened."

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93 Comments

gaylewatkins

Halle, knows her blackness even if she is bi-racial. I'm bi-racial and I know my blackness because that is how society sees us!

Gene Erkenbrack

Halle Berry is not African American, she is bi racial! She is also an American just like the rest of us born or naturalized here!

daphneelainebell

Halle Berry IS African American. Just like the rest of us light skinned mixed raced African Americans. None of the slaves that came here were light skinned. Where do you think we came from. We have been here for a mighty long time.

Janie Neugent

Hattie won for best supporting actress.

Jan Sydnam

Gayle Watkins isn't that sad! MLK tried constantly to tell people that people are more than skin color.

bsweet

Shoshina Jones You usually get a msg that says, "Oops! It looks like you've already answered this question." And, no, you don't get points. I've seen it while trying to get to comments to see what someone has replied to one of my posts.

LaTara 'Cookie' Nicole

Race is your skin.. ethnicity is heritage.

Richard D. Boyle

Come on folks. Try reading the question. An Oscar is NOT an Oscar. One is for a leading role; another is for a supporting role. They are not the same. Why do you think there was such a celebration over Halle Berry’s win for best actress in a lead role? It had never happened before and finally did.

Dave Anderson

Hattie McDaniel was the first Black woman to win a oscar NOT Hale Berry

Shirley Gainey

She's great

June Holley

I believe it was actually Hattie McDaniel for Gone With the Wind

Joni Miller

I was pretty sure that it was Hattie McDaniel, Mammy ,from Gone With the Wind,for best supporting actress

Sherry Wallis

I cannot seem to separate the actess from the real person. Her beauty is marred for me by the unfortunate incident where she committed a hit and run.

Marguerite Prince Acosta

Picture looked like Cicelly...got it wrong...

Gary Cobb

Has everyone forgotten about Hattie McDaniel. AN Oscar is an Oscar...

Gary Cobb

Gayle Watkins sadly, that's how you want society to see you, but the way you rid our society of this racial divide is to ignore the color of our/your skin and just see everyone for the "content of their character"! If that is too much to ask for, then it will never go away! We all, whites and blacks, need to become color blind.

Jan Samuel

Not strictly correct as her mother is English.

Bhabani Shanker Ganguli

Halle Berry may have been the first African-American actress to win the Best Actress award, but the woman who played the maid in "Gone with The Wind' won the best supporting actress award way back in the 50's!