Halle Berry becomes the first African American woman to win Best Actress Halle Berry cries as she accpets the Oscar for best actress in the film "Monster's Ball" at the 74th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 24, 2002, in Los Angeles. Berry became the first African-American woman to win a best actress Oscar. Berry said, "This moment is for all the nameless, faceless women of color who now have a chance because this door tonight has been opened." (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)