Given the dated and sexist custom of putting the suffix -ess to denote the feminine in English, a mayoress is a female mayor.
Similar outdated derivatives: poetess, seamstress, aviatrix,Congresswoman( the -aix suffix serves the same function) to denote female poets, sewers, Congress persons, or aviators.
This is dated language. Some would say that the word" actress" falls in a similar vein. Accordingly, you see it used less and less, vs. female lead or male lead to denote the primary actor in a play, movie or television show.
Also to be avoided- " mankind" instead of 'humankind".
mayor
Mayoress
Mayoress
Mayoress.
The feminine gender for mayor is "mayoress." In some regions, the term "mayor" is used for both male and female officeholders, while in others, "mayoress" specifically refers to a female mayor. The use of "mayoress" can vary depending on local customs and traditions.
Mayoress. Used in Britain, but not much in North America.
Masculine The feminine eqiuvalents are mayoress, manageress and conductress
The Wife of a Lord Mayor in the United Kingdom is properly and officially refereed to as a Lady Mayoress, citing the suffix -ess as applied for feminine titles in English. Many former British Colonies follow suit, such as in Australia. Similar to the designation "First Lady", the Lady Mayoress has a symbolic nature towards events and the nation in general towards the area she represents. When the Lord Mayor is female, she usually is not designated as the Lady Mayoress, but takes the title of Lord Mayor. There have been cases, however, of a female as Lord Mayor and her mother as Lord Mayoress, such as in Brisbane,UK. In America, no such designation is official, but it is still a recognized term for the wife or a lady holding the position of mayor, although is not very popular as an American designation.
John Emanuel Lightfoot, who was mayor of Accrington from 1878 to 1890.
A. N. has written: 'A circular letter of Christian friendship to the Honourable the late Lady Mayoress'
The feminine form of mayor is mayoress. The feminine plural is mayoresses.
-ess can make certain titles into a feminine one. For example, Mayor and Baron become Mayoress and Baroness.