iron lady

noun2

1. •
   A strong-willed and unrelenting female leader.

   • On the one hand, the patriarchal discourse constructs the identity of 'an iron lady' for the successful woman leader. — 2002
2. •
   (no longer used) A sewing machine.

   • But, the iron lady's needle is not like the instrument of a flesh and blood seamstress. — 1854