I have always been a rock and roll fanatic. Give me a song with some unique guitar riffs, passionate lyrics, and maybe just a splash of dissent from social norms and I’ll have something to obsess over for ages! Just as I am passionate about this turbulent genre of music, I am also a very ardent feminist, so it follows that I have always loved to seek out the voices of strong women in rock and roll. Who could be a better representation of this inspiring group than the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987?

Aside from accumulating 18 Grammys over the course of her career, Aretha Franklin was a committed activist who championed women’s rights, civil rights and dedicated her time to many other social issues. One of Franklin’s most popular songs to this day is “Respect,” a late 60’s feminist anthem in which she demands the respect of a romantic partner. This groundbreaking song inspired many women to recognize their own worth and that a relationship where they were not treated as equals or appreciated was not worth their time. In a similar vein (but almost 20 years later!), Franklin’s song “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” highlights women’s autonomy and their ability to defy traditional gender roles. Some of the powerful lyrics from this song include, “Now this is a song to celebrate the conscious liberation of the female state… the inferior sex has got a new exterior, we got doctors, lawyers, politicians too…. Can you see there’s a woman right next to you?” Franklin’s declarations emphasize that women should be free to live outside of society’s sexist constraints and that they can be as successful as any man in whatever they choose to pursue in life.

Franklin was also a fierce civil rights activist who toured with Martin Luther King Jr. across the country and was awarded the Southern Christian Leadership Award by King himself! She was also known to use her success to financially support black activists, such as offering to post the quarter of a million dollars in bail money when revolutionary civil rights leader Angela Davis was arrested in the 70’s. Franklin has always maintained that it had been elements of black culture that made her music so successful and she wanted to give back to her community in any way that she could.

Finally, Aretha Franklin was frequently involved in charity events and lent her talents to making sure that certain causes were getting the support that they needed. A few examples include participating in a Christmas album which helped to fund the Special Olympics and performing at The Elton John AIDS Foundation New York Gala to raise money and awareness.

I will leave you all with a quote from the timeless legend herself that perfectly sums up her legacy and highlights the beautiful person she was. “Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well.”