What is a doyenne?

Search: doyenne

Why: In the scathing Dallas Observer review, "The Blind Side: What Would Black People Do Without Nice White Folks?" that Kate posted:

An officious caretaker, Leigh Anne clears out the guest bedroom for Michael, earning the nervous praise of the Tennessee doyennes with whom she regularly lunches. Though they congratulate their friend's altruism, they're convinced Leigh Anne's new charge will either rob her Memphis McMansion or violate her daughter.

Answer: n. (Fr.) A woman who is the senior member of a group; an elder; a person who is older than you are.

The feminine version of doyen:

1 a : the senior member of a body or group b : a person considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor
2 : the oldest example of a category

Source: The Free Dictionary, Merriam-Webster

The More You Know: On Wikipedia (though uncited):

Oher stated he was unhappy with the portrayal of young Michael Oher in the film, as one that didn't have much football acumen; which he states wasn't true. He stated that he always had a high football IQ, even before he played organized football.