Monday, March 8th is International Women's Day. To help you celebrate with your listeners, here are some milestones achieved by the women of country music.
Kitty Wellsbecame the first woman in country music history to top the U.S. country charts, with "It Wasn't God Who Made HonkyTonk Angels." (1952)
Anne Murraywas the first Canadian to reach number-one on the U.S.Billboardcountry charts with "I Just Fall in Love Again." (1979)
Patsy Clinewas the first female country artist to headline a Las Vegas residency (1962) and perform at Carnegie Hall. She's also the first woman to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (posthumously in 1973).
Carrie Underwoodmade history when she released her album Cry Pretty, making her the first woman to have four country albums reach the top spot on theBillboard 200chart.
Dolly Partonis the only country artist who has had a Top 20 hit onBillboard'sHot Country Songschart for six decades in a row.
Jeannie Seelyis the first woman to regularly host 30-minute segments of the Grand Ole Opry.
Crystal Gaylebecame the first female country artist to have an album,We Must Believe in Magic, sell a million copies. The album featured her smash hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."
Kelsea Balleriniis the only female country artist whose debut album produced three chart-toppers. She is also the youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry (2019).
In 1972,Loretta Lynnbecame the first woman to win the CMA's Entertainer of the Year Award. Three years later, she became the first woman to win the ACM'sEntertainer of the Yearaward. In 1975, she became the first woman to host the show.Roger Millerwas her co-host.Dolly Partonwas the first woman to host the show solo in 2000.
In 1967,Bobbie Gentryis the first woman to host theCMA Awards. She co-hosted withSonny James. In 1968,Dolly Partonwas the first female to host the show solo.
Jenee Fleenorwas the first woman to be nominated for the CMA'sMusician of the Yearand the first woman to take home the award. (2019)
Carrie Underwoodtied for the ACM'sEntertainer of the Yeartitle, making her the first woman in ACM history to win the award three times. (2008, 2009, 2019)
Last year, Mickey Guytonbecame the first Black woman to sing an original song at theACM Awards.
Miranda Lamberthas won 35 ACM Awards -- the most in ACM history to date. She also holds the record for most female nominations with 68 total nods. She's won the ACM'sFemale Artist of the Yeara record nine times. She's also the most-awarded woman inCMA Awardshistory with 14 total wins and the most-nominated woman with 55 nominations. Miranda won the CMA'sFemale Vocalist of the Yearfor six straight years from 2010 to 2015.
At age 19,Taylor Swiftbecame the youngest person to with the CMA'sEntertainer of the Yearaward. (2009)
Seven women have won the CMA's Entertainer of the Year. They areLoretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell(twice),Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, The Chicks andTaylor Swift(twice).
Eight women have won the ACM'sEntertainer of the Year. They areLoretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, The Chicks, Carrie UnderwoodandTaylor Swift.