Editor’s Note: This paper was completed as a part of the History Research Fellowship, a one-semester course available to sixth form students.

Songs, artists, and the underlying implications of their music undoubtedly impact the everyday lives of individuals in contemporary society. Humanity consumes music to derive feelings from the lyrics and composition, and develop curiosity as to how and why the artists made the choices that they made. Moreover, musicians create their art to come to terms with their personal feelings and thoughts, and further expand their opinions on issues within themselves or greater society that remain pressing. One of these ongoing societal and cultural concerns, that also impacted and continues to influence American individuals at the emotional level, is the perception of women and their role in society. During and before twentieth-century America, stereotypes surrounding what it means to be a woman governed United States culture, and sustained an influence on how the media portrayed the female image. Today, the feminine image continues to be dynamic, and develop nuances of different lifestyle choices, giving women the opportunity to grow into their genuine personas. Despite perilous stereotypes of women as subjects to men, from specific political groups within contemporary American society, prominent figures in various industries and their diverse representations of typical femininity, empower the current generation of women. However, this inspiration originated in earlier versions of American society, which worked to create a concrete definition of feminism and transparency surrounding the steps for future gender equality. Similar to contemporary culture, popular figures during early feminist eras represented these values through their work, intending to empower women, and transmit a message that was consequential to them.