The 5 Best Wins For Women on Oscars Night

In an Oscars year where the best picture nominations were seriously lacking in female leads, we still hoped to have some empowering feminist moments we could get excited about. Luckily, our favorite Hollywood stars did not disappoint. From a speech that brought Meryl Streep to her feet to the #askhermore hashtag changing the way women on the red carpet were interviewed, our favorite feminist and equal rights moments from the big night are all right here.

01
Julianne Moore's Best Actress Award
ABC

Julianne Moore's Best Actress Award

In a year where every single one of the picks for best picture was a male-centered movie, Julianne Moore's best actress Academy Award was made more meaningful. She won for Still Alice, one of the few Oscar-nominated films with a female lead.

02
Reese Witherspoon's #askhermore Red Carpet Campaign
Instagram | reesewitherspoon

Reese Witherspoon's #askhermore Red Carpet Campaign

Reese Witherspoon, one of many actresses who have grown tired of being asked gendered questions by reporters on the red carpet, launched a campaign this season called #askhermore. The movement encourages journalists to engage in more interesting dialogue, and the hashtag was trending on Facebook and Twitter throughout the Oscars. As a result, a distinctive effort was made by red carpet interviewers to shake up the conversation and ask more than just "what are you wearing?"

03
Graham Moore's Inspiring Speech
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Graham Moore's Inspiring Speech

Graham Moore gave an incredibly moving speech after his win for The Imitation Game, one that was not only a win for women, but for many others struggling to find their place and their happiness. The whole speech was nothing short of inspiring.

"When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself," he said. "I felt weird and different and I felt like I did not belong. And now I'm standing here, so I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in out there. Yes, you do. I promise you do. Stay weird, stay different, and when it's your turn, and you are standing on this stage, please pass the message to the next person who comes along."

04
Patricia Arquette's Acceptance Speech
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Patricia Arquette's Acceptance Speech

Patricia Arquette's acceptance speech was definitely the most feminist moment of the night. She called to attention the wage gap in the US, saying: "To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights; it's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America."

05
Meryl Streep Gives Women a Standing Ovation
ABC

Meryl Streep Gives Women a Standing Ovation

Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez were among the many women of the world standing up and cheering on Patricia Arquette's amazing acceptance speech that shed light on the issue of the large wage gap between women and men in the US. And we know that where Meryl leads, we all should follow.