Matriarchal or Patriarchal societies in ME ???

[Lalaith]

This was a social attitude which Elizabeth I constantly had to face and work with, if I recall my history correctly

And it is of course ironic that England has arguably never been greater than when ruled by Queens...Elizabeth I and Victoria....you'll forgive me if I don't extend the analogy to Mrs T...ahem....back to Tolkien.
Yes, I was always under the impression that Galadriel had been pivotal in the storming of Dol Guldor. And I always wondered exactly what her role had been. She certainly argued against Saruman who favoured pusillanimity.