Maternal forebear is a term that refers to one's female ancestors, particularly those who are directly related to one's mother. If you're looking for synonyms to describe these ancestors, there are plenty of options to choose from. For example, you could refer to them as matriarchs or matrons, which both suggest strong and influential women who played important roles in their families. You could also use terms such as grandmothers, great-grandmothers, or even ancestral mothers. These synonyms all convey a sense of respect and recognition for the important role that our foremothers played in shaping our families and our own identities.