Female arts graduate backing the learner (6)
I believe the answer is:
thelma
'female' is the definition.
'arts graduate backing the learner' is the wordplay.
'arts graduate' becomes 'ma' (Master of Arts).
'backing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'learner' becomes 'l'.
'the'+'l'='thel'
'ma' after 'thel' is 'THELMA'.
(Other definitions for thelma that I've seen before include "Woman" , "Foreign policy of force" , "Charge with gas" , "Louise's partner" , "Girl" .)