Kate Winslet, The Reader, won the Oscar for Best Actress at the Academy Awards Ceremony on February 22, 2009.

Although it was a first nomination for both Anne Hathaway and Melissa Leo, the other female contenders were no strangers to the Oscar, as it was Kate Winslet's sixth nomination, Meryl Streep has fifteen nominations and two wins, and Angelina Jolie has been nominated twice, with her first nomination (Girl Interrupted) landing her an Oscar.

Anne Hathaway plays an addict, home from rehab, who joins her dysfunctional family to celebrate the wedding of her sister in Rachel Getting Married. Angelina Jolie plays a distraught mother who tries to unravel the mystery of her son's disappearance in The Changeling. Melissa Leo received her nomination for her role as a desperate mother, who becomes involved in an illegal smuggling opportunity, in the drama Frozen River. Meryl Streep received her 15th Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a Catholic Sister, who tries to protect a student from possible sexual abuse, in the film Doubt. Kate Winslet's portrayal of an accused war criminal in The Reader, led to her sixth Oscar nomination.Official Site: The Oscars

• 2009: Kate Winslet: The Reader
• 2008: Marion Cotillard in La Vie En Rose
• 2007: Helen Mirren in The Queen
• 2006: Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line
• 2005: Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby
• 2004: Charlize Theron in Monster
• 2003: Nicole Kidman in The Hours
• 2002: Halle Berry in Monster's Ball
• 2001: Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich
• 2000: Hilary Swank in Boys Don't Cry

• Oscars.org: Oscar Acceptance Speeches Kate Winslet