by Cicely Richard

Created on: April 26, 2008

Country music has often been associated with rural, Southern, white Americans. Few country musicians of the past have been able to cross over and make an impact with people who are not necessarily country music fans. Additionally, female country musicians have been criticized for music that glorifies undercurrents of abuse and other misogynistic behaviors. However, some female country music singers have been able to make such a profound impact on music that we know them by their first names.

One of the first country musicians to make an impact in the music world was Patsy Cline. Before her untimely death in a plane crash, she was considered the Queen of Country Music. Her melodious voice brought us such classics as "Sweet Dreams" and "Crazy." The sound of her voice could send chills down the spine of most people who are privileged to hear her songs. Even though she is no longer with us, she continues to impact modern-day country musicians, such as Leanne Rimes, who recorded one of Patsy's songs.

Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline's friend and successor as Queen of Country Music, is unforgettable because she was unapologetic about her humble beginning as a "Coal Miner's Daughter" and the undercurrents of feminism in some of her songs. Almost all of her songs reveal some part of her life, from her song about her cheating husband to her song lauding birth control. She is a symbol of someone who has been able to overcome hardship and achieve the American Dream.

Tammy Wynette continued to carry the mantle of provocative female country musicians. Like Loretta Lynn before her, Tammie chronicled her life through her music, including her life with George Jones. She was upfront about all areas of her life, good and bad. She told us about her "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and how to "Stand By Your Man." She had the ability to make us laugh and cry.

When she said, "It takes a lot of money to look this cheap," Dolly Parton, the self-proclaimed Hillbilly Barbie, not only showed her ability to cross over to the pop music charts but that she wasn't a one-trick pony. She amassed a resume that includes music and acting. Her song and movie "9-to-5" was the anthem for women who were beginning to make an impact in the business world in the early 80s. She continues to be an entrepreneur, with her theme park and line of wigs and other products.

The 1980's gave us two for the price of one with the introduction of The Judds. Naomi and Wynonna Judd, the mother-daughter act, gave us harmonies and showcased Wynona's bold singing voice. What endeared them to many non-country music lovers was how they looked so much alike that people sometimes couldn't tell who was the mother and who was the daughter. Even after Naomi left for health reasons, Wynona showed that she could go it alone.

Now, it is customary for musicians to cross over into various genres of music, but these classic female musicians were the first trailblazers in music. However, there endurance was their ability to be the women next door and sing songs about topics that some people were thinking but were afraid to talk about. They proved that country music had no boundaries.

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