Aretha Franklin: Black Female Empowerment Icon

Presenter: Emily Perez

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Fall

Faculty Mentor: Sandra Moore

Department: American Multicultural Studies

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1oECUecaNGZRtWEdlhQ9mcZjeyq5VX6Gx

Abstract:
Aretha Franklin, one of the world's most renowed icons, for her globally recognized songs, and also her work and philanthropy with Black civil rights, and womens civil rights. Franklin was born into a state of discrimination, and faced many troubles throughout her life, yet her persistance and will shattered social expectations and created the icon we know today.  Franklin paved through racial and sexist discrimination, and was able to break through the societal norms and modeled the music industry to recognize Black women such as The Ronettes, and The Supremes. This in turn has led to  todays time of musical empowerment, by modern, strong, and bold female icons including Beyonce and Rhianna. Aretha Franklin boldly led the way in soulful music that showcased not only a women’s power, but a Black women’s power.