Blues music was an outlet for women like Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith and others to sing about their problems and feelings. The music gave them the chance to let their peers know that they weren’t alone, other women were going through the same ordeals. These songs sent the message that women could and should stand up for themselves and live their lives the way they saw fit. Women of the blues era opened the door for future female singers to express themselves through song about whatever topic they felt. Today’s popular music is somewhat shallow compared to this, fortunately there are some female singers who sing and even write about their lives and the events taking place around them. One such singer is