Important Women in Folk Music

Few women in American folk music have had a more direct and integral impact on positive changes in America than Joan Baez. Her efforts combined with the efforts of others during the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements helped to directly change the course of American history. Joan was also undeniably one of the most famous women of the 1960s folk revival, and has enjoyed one of the fullest, more prolific careers.

Joni Mitchell and her hundreds of alternate tunings have no doubt influenced the way so many women attack the acoustic guitar even to this day. Her poetic lyrics and her stunning soprano voice have infected the record collections of other songwriters and fans of just about every musical genre. Even though she often considers herself more of a painter than a songwriter, songs like "Big Yellow Taxi" will always be timeless classics and inspirations to female songwriters.

One thing people say about Odetta is that her stage presence blows them away. Odetta's presence onstage, along with her inimitably powerful voice, helped to get her recognized by Harry Belafonte as a force to be reckoned with; and it was Belafonte that helped start her career. During the Civil Rights movement, Odetta served as an influence and inspiration for direct action. Today, Odetta is still wowing audiences wherever she brings her incredible voice and powerful energy.

Hailing from one of the most talented family groups in American Folk Music, June Carter went on to make an outstanding career for herself. Her infectious personality and her comedic sensibility combined to make her a living legend in her own time. After being taken under Johnny Cash's wing (and, of course, marrying him in 1968), Carter continued to make unforgettable music that would inspire generations to come.

Holly Near has been making records for over thirty years now, and her influence has not yet stopped being felt in American folk music, and beyond. She started one of the first ever woman-owned record companies in 1972, when she opened her own Redwood Records. For her advocacy of human, civil, and women's rights around the world, in 2005, Holly was named one of the 1000 Women for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Janis Ian started her career when she was just a child. Even still, Ian continues to release oustanding CDs one after the other. Her prolific songwriting ability has made her a real force to be reckoned with. Janis has continually taken a stand against the big business record companies.

Ani DiFranco has been releasing records on her own, with her fierce feminist folk songs for over 20 years. Her innovative guitar work has revolutionized the way the instrument is played. She's started and maintained one of the most successful artist-run labels around, and has lent her voice and muscle to the preservation of civil rights and her hometown of Buffalo, NY. And, in spite of all this, she continues to write timeless and beautiful music.

Prodigious fiddle player Alison Krauss has become one of the most in-demand women of the folk and bluegrass worlds. Just about every record that comes out of Nashville these days seems to have something to do with Alison Krauss. Her beautiful songs and distinct voice, along with her just absolutely likable presence, make her a hard act to beat. She's managed to influence a whole generation of artists in folk, bluegrass, old time, and rock and roll alike.

With their rich harmonies and their smooth, melodic counterpoint guitar work, the Indigo Girls have carved out a distinct niche for themselves in the area of folk-pop. They're also fierce activists for civil and human rights, as well as spokespeople for the Native American traditional community. Indigo Girl Amy Ray runs a small not-for-profit record company that helps expose audiences to great artists running the gamut from Danielle Howle to legendary Utah Phillips.

Founded in 1973, Sweet Honey In the Rock has been an incredible influence in the areas of folk and gospel music. Their outstanding a cappella arrangements and their big sound have built them an important space in American folk music history. The women of Sweet Honey also incorporate African hand percussion instruments into their mix, and bring home some of the most unforgettable songs around.