doyenne

plural doyennes

1. A female doyen.
2. The senior or eldest female member of a group, especially one who is most or highly respected.

   Helen Thomas is frequently referred to as "the doyenne of the White House press corps".

   2 more examples

   The French, who celebrated her as the doyenne of humanity, had their own theories about why she lived so long, noting that she used to eat more than two pounds of chocolate a week and treat her skin with olive oil, rode a bicycle until she was 100, and only quit smoking five years ago.

   1997 August 5, Craig R. Whitney, “Jeanne Calment, World's Elder, Dies at 122”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   There were encouraged and facilitated by Anna Wintour, doyenne of the fashion industry, who decided with [Hillary] Clinton that the couple should have a bigger wedding while attending their engagement bash.

   2025 June 21, Jo Ellison, “The Bezos merger we all want a piece of”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 22

3. A woman who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in a particular field, subject, or line of work; expert.