1. a female ancestor, especially one from whom a person, family, or group is descended
2. a woman who preceded others and helped establish a tradition, movement, or field of endeavor

Examples

• She traced her family tree back to her foremothers in Ireland.
• The museum honors the foremothers of the women’s suffrage movement.
• Many consider her a foremother of modern environmental activism.
• The artist paid tribute to her creative foremothers in her latest exhibition.
• These brave foremothers paved the way for future generations of women.
• The genealogist helped her discover stories about her foremothers.