Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture, her work helped increase Black feminist writings in the 1970s, at the end of the American Civil Rights Movement. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, and continue to resonate deeply.

James Brown was an American singer, record producer, bandleader and actor. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of the 20th century. In a career that lasted many decades, he influenced the development of several music genres. His success peaked in the 1960s with hit singles such as "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" which was co written with Betty Jean Newsome, a back up singer and his partner for a time. Betty Jean Newsome contested that James Brown wrote any part of the lyrics to this song, as she stated that she wrote this piece based on her observations of the relations between the sexes. "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" became a staple of Brown's live shows for the rest of his career.

James Brown also became noted for songs of social commentary, including "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud". He has received many awards throughout his career.

Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned various styles. She supported the civil rights movement and exposed through her song lyrics the eurocentric appearance standards imposed on black women in America. Her music inspired black women to define beauty and identity for themselves without the influence of societal impositions.

Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul" she is one of the world's best-selling music artists. She was immersed and involved in the struggle for civil rights and women's rights throughout her life. She provided money for civil rights groups, at times covering payroll, and performed at benefits and protests. Her songs "Respect" and "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" became anthems of these movements for social change. She was also a strong supporter of Native American rights.

Dolly Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. She is a prolific songwriter not only for herself but other artists in many genres such as "I Will Always Love You", "Jolene", and "9 to 5". She has founded a number of charitable and philanthropic organizations, including literacy programs, wildlife conservation and pediatric cancer programs. In the 1980s she portrayed a secretary in the comedy film 9 to 5, highlighting discrimination against women in the workplace and created awareness of the National Association of Working Women.

Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She was initially branded an interloper whose modern production, presentation and songwriting disrupted the country genre's status quo.During the 1990s, Twain often received backlash for her unconventionally liberated appearance as a country music singer. Early in her career she found herself at-odds with the conservative opinions of the country music industry at the time due to her assertive personality and proclivity wardrobe choices. Refusing "to conform to a single archetype of femininity", she used music to communicate with like-minded women.

Beyonce is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her one of the most influential female musicians of the 21st century. She achieved universal acclaim for her sonically experimental visual albums, exploring themes of infidelity, feminism, womanism. Her most recent work has experimented with disco and house music, and paid homage to LGBTQ+ ball culture. Beyoncé has conducted several fundraising and donation campaigns during her tours, and stated in an interview in Vogue that she considered herself to be "a modern-day feminist". She advocates to provide equal opportunities for young boys and girls, men and women must begin to understand the double standards that remain persistent in our societies and the issue must be illuminated in effort to start making changes.

Kate Bush is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. She was the first British solo female artist to top the UK album charts and the first female artist to enter the album chart at number one. Her eclectic musical style, unconventional lyrics, performances and literary themes have influenced a diverse range of artists. Some of her songs contain references to political and social themes, such as the fear of nuclear warfare and the grief felt by mothers who lose children serving in the military during war, as well as songs with references to gay and LGBT themes.

Andra Day is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Grammy Award and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and a Daytime Emmy Award.