IN a groundbreaking moment, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to accept an Academy Award for Best Directing in the event’s 82-year history for her movie The Hurt Locker.

Barbra streisand presented the award, and said just before announcing the winner: “Well the time has come.”

In a gracious admittance of defeat, Bigelow’s ex-husband James Cameron, who was also a nominee in the category, gave her a standing ovation as she proceeded to collect her award.

Bigelow opened her acceptance speech by saying: “There’s no other way to describe it – it’s a moment of a lifetime.”

“First of all, this is so extraordinary to be in the company of such powerful …filmmakers, who have inspired me and I have admired,…some of whom for decades.”

She also thanked the people of Jordan where she shot The Hurt Locker, a film about a bomb squad working tirelessly in Baghdad.

“I’d just like to dedicate this to the women and men in the military who risk their lives on a daily basis in Iraq and Afghanistan, and around the world and may they come home safe,” said Bigelow to end her speech.

She the only female nominated for the award, alongside James Cameron for Avatar, Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds, Lee Daniels for Precious, and Jason Reitman for Up in the Air.

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