Here's why:
* "Director" is gender-neutral: The most common and inclusive option is simply "director." This term applies equally to men and women.
* "Directress" is outdated: "Directress" is considered outdated and often seen as sexist. It's a remnant of a time when women were frequently assigned gender-specific job titles.
Instead of seeking an alternative, the focus should be on using inclusive language and eliminating gendered terms in the workplace.
If you're referring to a female director in a specific context, you can always use descriptive phrases like:
* "The female director..."
* "The woman who directs..."
* "The director of [department]..."
Remember, language evolves, and it's important to be mindful of how our words can perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.