The Best Wisdom From Best Actress Oscar Speeches

"When I was little, my mother said, 'I want you to be something' . . . and I don't think that this means I am somebody, but I guess I'm on my way."

— Cher for Moonstruck (1988)

"May all of us find in our hearts and in our homes and in our world a way to non-violently end violence and heal."

— Susan Sarandon for Dead Man Walking (1996)

"I would not have been able to play this role had I not understood love of a tremendous magnitude, and for that I thank my family."

— Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love (1999)

"We have come a long way . . . I pray for the day when we not only accept our differences, but we actually celebrate our diversity."

— Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry (2000)

(To the man cutting off speeches) "Sir, you're doing a great job, but you're so quick with that stick — why don't you sit because I may never be here again."

— Julia Roberts for Erin Brokovich (2001)

“This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me — Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”

— Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball (2002)

"And my mom: You've sacrificed so much for me to be able to live here and make my dreams come true."

— Charlize Theron for Monster (2004)

"People used to ask June how she was doing and she used to say, 'I'm just trying to matter.' And I know what she means, you know? I'm just trying to matter and live a good life and make good work that means something to somebody."

— Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line (2006)

"Now you know, for 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty, and her hairstyle. She's had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her handbag on her arm, and she's weathered many storms. And I salute her courage and her consistency."

— Helen Mirren for The Queen (2007)

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't made a version of this speech before. I was probably eight years old looking into the bathroom mirror, and this would've been a shampoo bottle."

— Kate Winslet for The Reader (2009)

"There's no race, no religion, no class system, no color — nothing — no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love."

— Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (2010)

"When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hearing half of America going, 'Oh no. Oh, come on, why her? Again?' You know? But, whatever."

— Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady (2012)

"You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell, and that's really embarrassing, but thank you."

— Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook (2013)

“Those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences, they are not. Audiences want to see them, and in fact, they earn money.”

— Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine (2014)