Halle Berry becomes the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, for 'Monster's Ball.'
At a Glance
- Date
- 24 March 2002
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Key people
- Halle Berry
- Category
- Arts & Literature
- Source
- 74th Academy Awards (2002) · Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
What It Meant Then
It broke a barrier that had stood for the entire history of the award.
What It Means Now
Berry's win remains a singular milestone in Hollywood representation.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Halle Berry Wins the Best Actress Oscar.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/halle-berry-wins-the-best-actress-oscar/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Halle Berry Wins the Best Actress Oscar. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/halle-berry-wins-the-best-actress-oscar/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Halle Berry Wins the Best Actress Oscar.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/halle-berry-wins-the-best-actress-oscar/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.