Women are magical. We have been since the beginning of time, able to channel and navigate complex emotions while carrying the weight of family life, work, and social justice. It is through music that women can connect with others, using their voices to tell their stories—by screaming, crying, teaching, and empathizing with us. It feels like such a special connection; there’s nothing more empowering than watching women unite through music. I see it all the time—at festivals, where best friends hold each other and cry during their favorite artist’s performance, and in our Street GRRRL team, where online friends bond over their obsession with Chappell Roan. We feel vindicated seeing women thrive in music, and I wanted to write this listicle because it is close to my heart.
I don't often speak about this publicly, but my mother has late-stage dementia, and watching the woman who gave me the gift of loving music no longer remember or recognize the music she shared with me has been incredibly devastating. This list is very much dedicated to her—a woman with iconic music taste who almost went to Woodstock, a lifelong clinical social worker, and a beautiful woman who paved the way for me. I could list 1,000 women here, but these are the women in music who have made an impact on me, on what music is today, and hopefully on you too. I may do a part two, three, or four of this, but for now, here you go.
xoxo Kelsey
The 1940s - 1960s
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday's iconic voice and timeless songs have endured for decades. A pioneer for women in jazz, "Lady Day" fearlessly expressed her experiences through her music, using raw emotion and warmth in her vocals to connect with audiences. "I'll Be Seeing You," one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, carries a powerful sadness but also deep passion, drawing listeners into every phrase with Holiday's mesmerizing voice. An incredible activist as well, Holiday often used her music to speak out against the gender discrimination and racism she faced daily. In songs like "Strange Fruit," a haunting protest against racism and lynching, she showed the world that music could be a powerful tool for social justice. Through these emotionally charged songs, she used her platform to challenge societal norms, solidifying her place as an icon of courage.
Judy Garland
Judy Garland, a beautifully complex woman who led a tragic life, left us with one of the largest collections of passionate, deeply emotional songs. Her passion is evident in every note—her iconic warble feels so raw, as she poured herself into every ounce of her singing. A phenomenal actress, her roles ranged from the deeply emotional superstar in A Star Is Born to the iconic doe-eyed Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Judy is a symbol of perseverance; despite the abuse and addiction she endured, she remained determined to continue working in the industry, giving every part of herself to her fans. We feel her beauty and wonder in "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the excitement of first love in "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart," and the deep sadness of lost love in "The Man That Got Away." She made sure to leave her mark on the world, and despite her tragic end, Judy Garland teaches women how to keep going through constant hardships.
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, was truly a force to be reckoned with. A powerful presence both on and off the stage, Aretha used her voice to speak for Black women around the world. Often cited as an influence by Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson, Aretha laid the foundation for strong women in music. With hits like "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," she addressed the daily persecution, racism, and sexism that Black women faced. Her music gave a voice to so many women who weren’t allowed to speak up, showing that strength and conviction could coexist in powerful, meaningful ways. For Aretha, making music was her form of protest. Her passion and fire resonate in every note of every song, and she was a woman who continually fought for her community, never giving up on using her powerful voice for good.
The 1960's - 1980's
Joni Mitchell
Phew, this one is really personal to me. Joni Mitchell is my mom's one true musical love. I grew up listening to Ladies In The Canyon, but never really 'got it' until I went to college. Joni Mitchell is a poet at the core, her lyrics express such complex emotion that encompasses womanhood. Full of introspection, songs like 'Blue' and 'Both Sides Now' requires attention, allowing listeners to feel with her and express themselves. It was a beautiful moment for me when I really sat down with Joni's' music, I began to understand the inner strength of myself and that living as a woman is intricate. Balancing emotions is Joni's forte, storytelling is her gift, her music is my life. Joni Mitchell paved my way, and if you are just discovering her world, be sure to pay attention.
Nina Simone
A stoic songbird, Nina Simone exudes a strength that has endured for generations. Her consistent work in social justice reform is just the tip of the iceberg—she used music to speak her truth when many wanted to silence her. Unforgivingly bold, Nina Simone's music radiated confidence throughout her career. With songs like "I Put a Spell on You" and "Mississippi Goddam," her voice became a voice for the people, always pushing the envelope with her lyrics and sound. Watching her perform feels like a religious experience; she captivates everyone, allowing Nina to simply be Nina. She refused to be put in a box or confined to one musical genre. She experimented with spoken word and often wrote protest songs, giving Black women a voice when they had none. Her legacy will continue throughout time—she was a woman who refused to be stopped.
Carole King
Carole King's legacy is expansive. Not only is she one of the most prolific songwriters of our time, but she also released one of the most beloved albums of all time, Tapestry. Before releasing her own music, King co-wrote major classics like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"—songs that have been cherished and covered by artists such as The Shirelles and Aretha Franklin. In the 1970s, she released her groundbreaking album Tapestry, which completely redefined the singer-songwriter genre. A natural storyteller at heart, Carole King's emotional vulnerability gave women the strength to tell their own stories. She opened her heart to music and found power in speaking about all the experiences that made her a woman.
The 1980's - 2000's
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston. A singer who felt otherworldly at times, she had an energy that no one could match. Her ability to effortlessly hit high notes while delivering deeply emotional performances made her unforgettable. It's no surprise that she remains one of the best-selling female artists of all time—timeless songs like "I Will Always Love You" and "Greatest Love of All" are still beloved by audiences today. While her life took a tragic turn, Whitney will always be untouchable. She set a standard with her perfect blend of R&B and pop, a blend we still see in today’s music. The music she gave us was all of her—she poured her love and emotion into making songs that resonated with everyone, regardless of gender or race. She is, and will forever be, an icon.
Alanis Morissette
Empowering and full of raw emotion, Alanis Morissette burst onto the music scene with Jagged Little Pill and completely shook up the industry. She paved the way for a new generation of female artists by bridging the gap between the rebellious spirit of the Riot Grrrl movement, including bands like Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill, and mainstream Top 40 radio. Praised for her unfiltered opinions, she showed the world a woman who didn’t feel the need to be perfect. Her music reflects this in songs like "You Oughta Know" and "So Unsexy"—in these often messy situations, she still found herself. Alanis redefined what it meant to be a woman in rock, showing that it was not only okay to be angry and vulnerable, but that these emotions could be a source of immense power. She remains one of the best songwriters of the 90s, and her albums will continue to be discovered by future generations who will carry her energy forward.
Björk
Björk made weird cool again. Her constant innovation allowed her to cross multiple genres with ease. Emerging from Iceland's indie scene in the early 1990s, she captivated the world with her ethereal voice and bold experimentalism, blending electronic, pop, classical, and folk music into a unique sonic tapestry. Unapologetic and uncompromising, Björk refused to conform to industry standards, and her art thrived because of it. For Björk, it wasn't just about the music—it was the entire production. She often pushed the boundaries with sound, visuals, and costumes, creating unforgettable performances that immersed audiences in her vision. She has inspired countless artists to embrace the avant-garde, continue innovating, and challenge the status quo. We’ll never forget an artist like Björk—she pushed the boundaries and opened the floodgates for a new generation of creatives.
That's it for now, readers! As always, this is subjective and yes, there are TONS of women I could add to this list. Like I said up above, I'll probably continue this in parts! I hope you discovered an artist or decided to re-listen to one you haven't in a while. Either way, enjoy some incredible music.
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