* The category has evolved: The "Best Director" category didn't always exist. For many years, the award was given for "Best Picture," with the director implicitly acknowledged.
* Data collection varies: Different sources might track nominations differently, especially for older awards.
However, we can offer some insights:
* Since the Best Director category was established: There have been 83 nominees, with 6 women winning the award.
* Overall, including all categories (Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, etc.): A much larger number of women have been nominated for awards that directly or indirectly acknowledge a director's work. This is a significant number, but it's hard to give an exact count without exhaustive research.
It's important to note:
* While there have been significant strides in recognition, the number of female directors nominated for Academy Awards still lags behind male directors.
* This highlights the need for ongoing efforts to ensure greater representation and opportunity for women in the film industry.