If I were to express my feelings about her in a respectful way, I'd say she's a stateswoman.
From the newsweek.com
Is it elder-stateswoman of Hollywood with a penchant for bad romcoms?
From the hecklerspray.com
Far from behaving like a stateswoman, Rice's rhetoric has more in common with Osama Bin Laden.
From the infowars.com
Even at 88, Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing refuses to play the role of Britain's elder literary stateswoman.
From the time.com
La Salle, a droll gargoyle, founded the Warwick chapter and considers herself its elder stateswoman.
From the time.com
Wilson is now an elder stateswoman of the publishing world.
From the theargus.co.uk
The 27-strong team includes two members in their 30s and 12 in their 40s, with Ms Jowell at 64 the elder stateswoman.
From the independent.co.uk
The idea that a stateswoman like Thatcher, in advanced dementia, would be used by such a crackpot is simply unseemly.
From the guardian.co.uk
Suddenly, Magee is a valuable elder stateswoman.
From the al.com
More examples
A woman statesman
A statesperson is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term. ...
N.s. [state and woman.] A woman who meddles with publick affairs. In contempt.