doyenne
Most respected woman
A doyenne is the senior or most respected woman in a particular field or group—the female counterpart of doyen.
The term suggests both longevity and authority: She was the doyenne of fashion journalism, having covered every major designer for forty years.
Unlike "elder," doyenne implies active influence rather than mere seniority.
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
trendsetter · tastemaker · arbiter · standard-bearer · inspiration · torchbearer · pathfinder · groundbreaker
Dated slang for woman
- madameBrothel proprietress
- ladyCourteous term for woman
- dowagerTitled widow of nobility
- matronFemale institutional supervisor
duchess · countess · baroness · empress · queen · abbess · elder · highness
Female family leader
- foremotherFemale forebear
- ancestressFemale from whom one descends
- dowagerTitled widow of nobility
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
heritage · legacy · bloodline · succession · tradition
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
- guideLeader or instruction book
- advisorOne who gives guidance
- counselorOne who advises
- teacherOne who instructs others
coach · patron · sponsor · benefactor · champion · advocate · nurturer · cultivator
Power to enforce obedience
- masteryComplete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- knowledgeUnderstood facts and skills
wisdom · acumen · insight · discernment · sagacity · erudition · judgment · astuteness
Experienced former soldier
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- establishedFormally set up
respected · renowned · celebrated · illustrious · eminent · preeminent · foremost · senior
pioneer
Early explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- iconPictorial screen symbol
visionary · trendsetter · tastemaker · arbiter · standard-bearer · inspiration · torchbearer · pathfinder · groundbreaker · bellwether
dame
Dated slang for woman
matron · duchess · countess · baroness · empress · queen · abbess · elder · highness
matriarch
Female family leader
- foremotherFemale forebear
- ancestressFemale from whom one descends
- dowagerTitled widow of nobility
dynasty · heritage · legacy · bloodline · succession · tradition
mentor
Trusted wisdom-giving advisor
teacher · coach · patron · sponsor · benefactor · champion · advocate · nurturer · cultivator · steward
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- masteryComplete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
knowledge · wisdom · acumen · insight · discernment · sagacity · erudition · judgment · astuteness · shrewdness
veteran
Experienced former soldier
- seasonedFlavored or battle-tested
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
- distinguishedNotable and respected
established · respected · renowned · celebrated · illustrious · eminent · preeminent · foremost · senior · elder
- expertsexperts, expert, specialist, masters, specialists
- socialitessocialite, debutante, heiress, jet setter, jet-setter
- honoreeshonoree, honorees, award winner, awardee, awardees
doyenneamateur
Nonprofessional participant
nobody · unknown · nonentity · outsider · dilettante
doyenneamateur
Nonprofessional participant
dilettante · dabbler · apprentice · trainee · learner