First-Time Oscar Winners

Sandra has received much recognition for her role in The Blind Side, but she says nothing prepared her for her Oscar moment.

"As I've been telling everyone, look at my career up to this moment. Nothing in my career has said, 'She is going to get an Oscar one day,'" she says. "I had the pleasure of doing great, small films that I loved so much. I loved the work, but if no one goes to see them, they're your own private, personal joys."

The moment Sandra's name was announced, she says she thought to herself, "I don't know if I'm worthy of this." Sandra also thought of advice she once received from her mom.

"The good mamas are often tough mamas. I remember when I was a kid, she goes, 'If you ever win an award, I don't want you to cry.' … Because she thought it was just ridiculous," Sandra says. "Then, here I am, and I was like, "Well, you can't say anything. You're dead." But that's the joke I had with her, I said, 'Once you're up there, you can't really…' And she said, 'No, I'll be floating around.' And she will. She's here. She's missed so many moments, but I think those moments wouldn't have happened if she hadn't been up there."