1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees The Supremes

Celebrating Women's History Month

Honoring #WomenWhoRock, we are hosting a series of Women’s History Month events and programs, as well as spotlighting artifacts, exhibits, playlists and more, all celebrating the achievements of some of music’s most notable female musicians.

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee ballot also features incredible trailblazers, including Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Cyndi Lauper, Gillian Gilbert from New Order, and Meg White of The White Stripes. Fans can cast their votes in the official Fan Vote now through April 28th at rockhall.com.

Upcoming Events

While we honor women's contributions year round, we have put together some special events this month to celebrate the past, present and future of women in rock and roll.

Stay tuned, we have some incredible events in the works for Women's History Month. Be sure to check back soon!

Full Event Calendar

March 16: Virtual Interview with Amanda Shires & Martina McBride

Shelby Morrison, the Rock Hall’s Director of Curatorial Operations & Artist Relations sits down with Amanda Shires & Martina McBride to discuss their music careers. This FREE virtual program premiers on the Rock Hall's Youtube Channel at 7pm on March 16th.

Soak Up the Sun: The Music of Sheryl Crow Exhibit

Opens March 23rd. Through her powerhouse solo performances, collaborations with industry icons, and early session musician work, 2023 Nominee Sheryl Crow’s influence reverberates through 1990s rock, pop, country, folk, blues, and the work of countless singer-songwriters. Highlighting moments throughout her incredible career, this exhibit features artifacts such as handwritten lyrics to “Leaving Las Vegas.” the leather jacket worn in the “All I Wanna Do” music video, and the outfit worn for Crow’s 2018 Bonnaroo performance.

March 29: Members Only - Chaka Khan

Icon Chaka Khan sits down with Rock Hall Director of Curatorial Operations & Artist Relations, Shelby Morrison for a special interview celebrating both Chaka’s 50th anniversary in the music industry and her 70th birthday. Five outfits from Chaka Khan’s iconic 50-year career in the industry will be added to the Legends of Rock exhibit.

On Exhibit

Throughout our Museum we have extensive exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of women and Rock and Roll, past present and future. Here are a few current exhibit spotlights, as well as some new things coming this month.

New in March

Inductee Patti Scialfa’s 1987 Takamine acoustic guitar, played during the Tunnel of Love tour. Legends of Rock (Main Exhibit Hall, Level 0).
Items from Inductee Wanda Jackson, such as her 1950 Martin acoustic guitar, a stage-worn dress that she designed herself, as well as other artifacts from her career. Pioneers Gallery (Main Exhibit Hall, Level 0).
Stage outfit, an electric fiddle and handwritten lyric manuscript from Amanda Shires. Right Here, Right Now (Main Exhibit Hall, Level 0).
Soak Up the Sun: The Music of Sheryl Crow, feature several handwritten lyric manuscripts, iconic stage- and video-worn clothing, as well as other artifacts from her career. Right Here, Right Now (Main Exhibit Hall, Level 0).
Chaka Khan; five exemplary outfits from her acclaimed 5-decade career. Legends of Rock (Main Exhibit Hall, Level 0).

Spotlight Artifacts

Janis Joplin: Handwritten lyrics, “Move Over”

One of the most powerful singers of the Sixties who remains an icon today, Janis Joplin brought the raw pain and incandescent joy of her life into every performance. She also helped to redeﬁne the role of women in rock with her assertive, sexually forthright persona and raunchy, electrifying onstage presence. “Move Over” was the lead-off track of Janis Joplin’s final album, Pearl. She performed the song on the Dick Cavett Show less than two weeks before her death on October 4, 1970. Pearl was released posthumously and reached Number One on the Billboard charts. Joplin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. LOCATION: Janis Joplin exhibit, Legends of Rock, Level 0

Joan Jett: Les Paul Deluxe

Joan Jett played this guitar at age 15 as a founding member of the Runaways and on her first four solo albums. “When the Runaways first got together, we were pioneers – there weren’t any other women playing hard rock,” Jett recalled. “There aren’t too many groups that can say they really started something – the Runaways did.” When she recorded her first solo album, Jett tried to get a record label to distribute it, but she was rejected by 23 different companies. Out of frustration, she and producer Kenny Laguna founded Blackheart Records in 1980. I Love Rock n’ Roll became a huge hit and topped the charts in early 1982. Jett has also worked as a producer for such women rock groups as Bikini Kill and L7. Jett was inducted into the Rock Hall with the Blackhearts in 2015. LOCATION: London/NYC case, Cities and Sounds, Ahmet Ertegun Gallery, Level 0

Elizabeth Cotten: 1983 Martin Custom acoustic guitar

Songwriter and self-taught guitarist Elizabeth Cotten was a master of the guitar and banjo, developing a distinctive fingerpicking guitar technique, now widely known as “Cotten style” or “Cotten picking,” that influenced numerous guitarists. Cotten did not begin recording or performing outside family circles until she was in her sixties. This custom guitar was given to Cotten by the New York State Congressional Delegation in 1983 and was subsequently used by Cotten in live performances in her later years. Cotten's original songs have been performed by artists including Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, and Taj Mahal. She was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2022. LOCATION: 2022 Inductees exhibit, Level 3

Annie Lennox (Eurythmics): "Sisters" jacket

Annie Lennox wore this jacket in the music video for the feminist anthem “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,” a 1985 duet with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. “I think it’s about time that there was a pop record made about women’s achievements…,” Lennox said of the song. “It’s a celebratory song. Every song is a statement, whether it’s an emotional statement, whether it’s a political statement.” “Sisters” reached Number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock Hall in 1987; Lennox was inducted into the Rock Hall with the Eurythmics in 2022. LOCATION: 2022 Inductees exhibit, Level 3

Explore the Vault

Dive into our Women Who Rock collection, available for free on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's YouTube channel.

Featuring Carly Simon, Pat Benatar, Michelle Phillips, Brittney Spencer, Joan Baez, Lita Ford and more.

INTERVIEWS, PERFORMANCES & INDUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Sounds of Women's History Month

Listen, download and follow the Rock Hall’s latest playlists on Spotify featuring the most influential #WomenWhoRock from the 50s through today. Click the graphics below to check out each playlist.

Women played a central role in the development of the rock-and-roll genre, beginning with early blues artists, like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, and gospel artist Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Spirited rhythm-and-blues singers – such as Ruth Brown, LaVern Baker, and rockabilly star Wanda Jackson added their creative talents to popular music through its explosive growth in the ‘50s. Girl groups, like the Shirelles and Supremes, and Rock Hall’s first female Inductee Aretha Franklin dominated the charts in the ‘60s while Janis Joplin, Grace Slick and Joni Mitchell carried the torch into the ‘70s. Artists such as Joan Jett, Ann Wilson, Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde, The Go-Go’s, Patti Smith, and Stevie Nicks paved the way for women in the ‘80s and ‘90s with their music and style. And, blazing through the 21st century includes the incredible voices of St. Vincent, Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and new generations of trailblazers who were influenced by those before them.

The Rock Hall's Spotify Channel

Rock Hall Edu

Rock Hall Edu is a free digital learning platform, designed for educators and parents, and is full of resources and activities that use the power of rock & roll to engage students of all ages. Access our featured collections below.

Rock and Roll and Women's Rights

Women artists have harnessed the power of music to speak out against oppression, demand equal rights, and fight for control over their bodies throughout the entire history of rock & roll. Use this collection to see how women have stood up for themselves and for women around the globe across rock genres.

Women Who Rock

From the beginning, women have always been a part of the rock and roll story. From the early gospel and blues singers to the first rock stars to modern hip-hop and pop divas and more, women have been and are key players in rock. They've also taken roles behind the scenes as, yes, secretaries, and also producers, engineers, and record executives. Sometimes they start their own businesses in the music industry in order to make sure their voices are heard. Use this collection to help ensure that women remain part of the story.