Final answer:
Only two women have won the Oscar for Best Director – Kathryn Bigelow for 'The Hurt Locker' and Chloé Zhao for 'Nomadland'.
Step-by-step explanation:
As of the current knowledge cutoff in 2023, only two women have won the Oscar for Best Director. The first woman to receive this honor was Kathryn Bigelow in 2010 for directing the film The Hurt Locker. The second was Chloé Zhao in 2021 for Nomadland. This recognition is a testament to their exceptional talent and contribution to the film industry, standing out even in a field that has historically been dominated by men. Throughout the years, women have continued to make significant strides in various fields despite facing challenges and stereotypes, much like the Academy Awards eventually acknowledging the achievements of female directors.