Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to be named Best Director for The Hurt Locker. The film also won the award for Best picture of the year. It seems nearly unbelievable that it took 82 years for a woman to finally win the award, however, it is a great achievement and one recognized by viewers nationwide. Amazingly, Kathryn Bigelow was up against her ex-husband, James Cameron for Avatar.

Slideshow: Red Carpet arrivals at the Oscars (photos 82nd Academy Awards, video)

Slideshow: Oscars 2010 Academy Award winners in pictures (photos, videos)

Kathryn Bigelow spoke about the win with E-Entertainment following the Oscars, you may view footage of that video clip in the player below. During Kathryn’s acceptance speech she said that there was no other way to describe the win but that it was the ‘moment of a lifetime.

She stated, “First of all, this is so extraordinary to be in the company of such powerful, my fellow nominees, such powerful filmmakers who have inspired me and I have admired for, some of whom, for decades. And thank you to every member of the Academy. This is, again, the moment of a lifetime.”

Kathryn thanked many people, including Mark Boal and in turn dedicated the win to those in the military. She said, “And 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. Thank you.”

Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.

After the Awards, Kathryn spoke with Showbiz Tonight and shared her views on making history. Kathryn said, “`I’d love to just think of myself as a filmmaker and I long for the day when the modifier can be a moot point. But I`m ever grateful if I can inspire some young intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible.