If the past 12 months were any indication, it has been a celebratory and transformative time for women in music. Women swept at the 2025 GRAMMYs, with some Categories (Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album) exclusively recognizing female nominees. Amy Allen became the first woman to win Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical. Meanwhile, Beyoncé extended her record as the most decorated GRAMMY artist. Women artists won Album Of The Year and Best New Artist for the third time in five years.
Beyond chart achievements and awards, women stepped up to advocate for their right to take up space in the industry — and called for safer, more inclusive spaces. Chappell Roan, for example, took the GRAMMY stage for her Best New Artist win to challenge executives: "I told myself if I ever won a GRAMMY, and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists."
Her acceptance speech caused a rippling effect, prompting Universal Music Group and the Music Health Alliance to launch a music industry health fund. Shortly after, first-time GRAMMY winners Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx joined Roan's campaign with a $25,000 donation to support rising musicians.
Read more: 13 Times Women Made GRAMMY History: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift & More
While the Recording Academy has made meaningful progress in increasing women's representation within its Membership, there is still more work to be done industry-wide. In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, GRAMMY.com celebrates the women in music who have broken barriers and paved the way for a more inclusive industry. When there’s more women, there’s more music. Together as advocates and allies, we encourage the music industry to unite in uplifting, supporting, and creating more opportunities for women.
Press play on female empowerment anthems that can sum up the past year of taking charge in music history, from the joyous declarations of unapologetic femininity on Megan Thee Stallion's "HISS" and Ariana Grande's "yes, and?," to the odes to sisterhood on Tori Kelly's "Spruce" and Camila Cabello's "DREAM-GIRLS."