Words that refer to women often end in '-ess', for example 'actress', 'waitress', and 'hostess'. Another ending is '-woman', as in 'policewoman' and 'needlewoman'.
...his wife Susannah, a formerair stewardess.
A policewomandragged me out of the crowd.
...Margaret Downes, who is this year'schairwomanof the examination committee.