Billboard Women in Music is an annual event held by Billboard. Its main award is titled Woman of the Year, established to recognize women in the music industry who have made significant contributions to the business and who, through their work and continued success, inspire generations of women to take on increasing responsibilities within the field, according to the magazine.
Women in music include, women as composers, songwriters, instrumental performers, singers, conductors, music scholars, music educators, music critics/music journalists, and in other musical professions. A songwriter is an individual who writes the lyrics, melodies and chord progressions for songs, typically for a popular music genre such as pop, rock, or country music. A songwriter can also be called a composer, although the latter term tends to be mainly used for individuals from the classical music genre.
Since 2023, Billboard established the first Billboard Latin Women in Music, focusing exclusively on female artists of Latin music. Since 2024, it has expanded the award ceremony to the individual international territories in which the magazine is published.
Woman of the Year Award In 2007, Reba McEntire was honored with the Billboards first Woman of the Year Award because of her success as a recording artist, contributions to the business, and leadership in embracing the changing music business. Every year since then, Billboard has honored a female artist with the award. Taylor Swift is the first and only woman to be honored more than once. Cardi B became the first rapper to receive the accolade. The most recent winners are Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as the singing voices of Huntrix; this marked the first time a group had been collectively honored.
2007: Reba McEntire 2008: Ciara 2009: Beyoncé 2010: Fergie 2011: Taylor Swift 2012: Katy Perry 2013: Pink 2014: Taylor Swift 2015: Lady Gaga 2016: Madonna 2017: Selena Gomez 2018: Ariana Grande 2019: Billie Eilish 2020: Cardi B 2022: Olivia Rodrigo 2023: SZA 2024: Karol G 2025: Doechii 2026: Huntrix: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami
Woman of the Decade Award Although the awards began in 2007, in 2009 Billboard announced the Artists of Decade, ranking Beyoncé as Billboard’s Top Female Artist of the 2000s, without giving a formal award to the singer. At the end of the 2010s, Billboard honored Taylor Swift with the first-ever Woman of the Decade Award, for being one of the most accomplished musical artists of all time over the course of the 2010s. 2010s: Taylor Swift (2019)
Rising Star Award In 2008, Colbie Caillat was honored with Billboards first Rising Star award because of "her ascent in the pop charts and the repercussion that her music caused." Every year since then, Billboard has honored a female artist with the award. 2008: Colbie Caillat 2009: Lady Gaga 2010: Jazmine Sullivan 2011: Nicki Minaj 2012: Carly Rae Jepsen 2013: Janelle Monáe 2014: Ariana Grande 2015: Kelsea Ballerini 2016: Halsey 2017: Grace VanderWaal 2018: Hayley Kiyoko 2019: Rosalía 2020: Chloe x Halle 2023: Doechii 2024: Victoria Monét 2025: Muni Long 2026: Mariah the Scientist
Triple Threat Award In 2010, Lea Michele was honored with Billboards First-Ever Triple Threat Award because of her "excellence in performance across acting, singing and dancing." 2010: Lea Michele
Rulebreaker Award The Rulebreaker Award recognizes female artists who use their music and platform to defy traditional industry expectations and advance a powerful message for young people. Demi Lovato was the first to be honored with the award in 2015.This artist was given the award before they were publicly known as non-binary. 2015: Demi Lovato 2016: Alessia Cara 2017: Kehlani 2018: SZA 2022: Karol G 2023: Lainey Wilson 2025: Megan Moroney
Trailblazer Award The Trailblazer award is awarded to a female artist, who acts as a music industry pioneer by using her platform to spotlight unheard voices and break ground for future generations of performers. Hayley Williams was the first to be honored for the award in 2014. 2014: Hayley Williams 2015: Lana Del Rey 2016: Kesha 2018: Janelle Monáe 2019: Brandi Carlile 2022: Phoebe Bridgers
Group of the Year 2015: Fifth Harmony 2024: NewJeans 2025: aespa
Chart-Topper Award 2014: Iggy Azalea 2015: Selena Gomez 2016: Meghan Trainor 2022: Summer Walker
Icon Award The Icon Award is given to a female artist of extraordinary accomplishment, who has made historic contributions to the industry and artistry. 2008: Debbie Harry 2014: Aretha Franklin 2016: Shania Twain 2017: Mary J. Blige 2018: Cyndi Lauper 2019: Alanis Morissette 2020: Jennifer Lopez 2022: Bonnie Raitt 2023: Ivy Queen 2024: Kylie Minogue 2025: Erykah Badu 2026: Thalía
Impact Award The Impact Award was given for the first time to Solange Knowles because she "uses her voice to empower and develop new leaders of tomorrow through their on-air persona, platform, and philanthropic efforts to inspire social change across the masses". 2017: Solange Knowles 2019: Alicia Keys 2020: Jessie Reyez 2021: H.E.R. 2023: Becky G 2024: Young Miko 2025: Tyla 2026: Kehlani
Legend Award The Legend Award was given for the first time to Loretta Lynn for her "historic contributions to the industry and artistry of American music, which has established her among the highest class of performers". 2015: Loretta Lynn
Breakthrough Artist 2014: Idina Menzel 2015: Tori Kelly 2016: Maren Morris 2017: Camila Cabello 2023: Twice 2024: Tems 2025: Ángela Aguilar 2026: Zara Larsson
Hitmaker Award The Hitmaker Award is given to the songwriter whose compositions have significantly impacted culture. 2014: Charli XCX 2020: Dolly Parton 2024: Ice Spice 2025: Meghan Trainor 2026: Tate McRae
Songwriter of the Year 2025: Gracie Abrams
Innovator Award The Innovator Award recognizes female artists who challenge musical convention, create positive change and contribute new ideas both in and outside of their creative work. 2015: Missy Elliott 2018: Kacey Musgraves 2026: Laufey
Powerhouse Award The Powerhouse Award is given to the act whose music dominated in their respected year through streaming, sales, and radio. 2014: Jessie J 2015: Brittany Howard 2016: Andra Day 2017: Kelly Clarkson 2019: Megan Thee Stallion 2020: Dua Lipa 2022: Doja Cat 2023: Latto 2024: Charli XCX 2025: GloRilla 2026: Ella Langley
Game Changer Award The Game Changer Award was given for the first time to Nicki Minaj, after becoming the first woman to notch 100 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 2019: Nicki Minaj 2022: Saweetie
Visionary Award Lana Del Rey was awarded with the first visionary award in Billboard's history.
2023: Lana Del Rey 2024: Maren Morris 2026: Teyana Taylor
Global Force Award The Global Force Award was given to "singers, songwriters, instrumentalists and producers making groundbreaking contributions to the music industry" selected by Billboard publication around the world.
2024: Annalisa (Billboard Italy), María Becerra (Billboard Argentina), Sarah Geronimo (Billboard Philippines), Nini Nutsubidze (Billboard Georgia), Sherine (Billboard Arabia), Luísa Sonza (Billboard Brazil), Tia Ray (Billboard China) 2025: Jennie, Anna (Billboard Italy) 2026: Bini (Billboard Philippines)
Female executives and executives of the year 2015: Emma Banks, Carol Kinzel, Marlene Tsuchii, Sara Newkirk Simon, Samantha Kirby Yoh, Natalia Nastaskin, Marsha Vlasic, Caroline Yim, Marcie Allen, Jennifer Breithaupt, Debra Curtis, Sara Clemens, Tamara Hrivnak, Vivien Lewis, Heather Moosnick, Katie Schlosser, Monica Escobedo, Julie Gurovitsch, Lindsay Shookus, Debra Lee, Sarah Moll, Brittany Schreiber, Dawn Soler, Lia Vollack, Lori Badgett, Martha Henderson, Julie Boos, Mary Ann McCready, Michele Anthony, Candace Berry, Maria Fernandez, Wendy Goldstein, Julie Greenwald, Ethiopia Habtemariam, Allison Jones, Michelle Jubelirer, Cindy Mabe, Sylvia Rhone, Brenda Romano, Jacqueline Saturn, Julie Swidler, Dana DuFine, Maureen Ford, Amy Howe, Ali Harnell, Debra Rathwell, Kathy Willard, Lee Ann Callahan-Longo, Allison Kaye, Sarah Stennett, Ty Stiklorius, Elizabeth Matthews, Ann Sweeney, Kelli Turner, Jody Gerson, Jennifer Knoepfle, Carianne Marshall, Sas Metcalfe, Katie Vinten, Jess Besack, Sharon Dastur, Anya Grundmann 2016: Bozoma Saint John, Julie Greenwald, Camille Hackney 2017: Julie Greenwald 2018: Danielle Aguirre, Jacqueline Charlesworth, Susan Genco, and Dina LaPolt 2019: Desiree Perez 2020: Brianna Agyemang & Jamila Thomas 2021: Golnar Khosrowshahi
Women of the Year in Music 2018 Women of the Year in Music Latrice Burnett, Jennifer Hirsch-Davis - Island Records, Nicki Farag - Def Jam Records, Lori Feldman, Hildi Snodgrass - Warner Bros. Records, Maria Fernandez - Sony Music Latin, Andrea Ganis, Camille Hackney, Julliette Jones - Atlantic Records, Wendy Goldstein, Sharon Dastur, Katina Bynum, Kerri Mackar - Republic Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam - Motown Records, Allison Jones - Big Machine Label Group, Celine Joshua, Jennifer Baltimore, Elsa Yep - Universal Music Group, Michelle Jubelirer - Capitol Music Group, Sasha Junk - Kidz Bop, Cris Lacy, Taylor Lindsey - Warner Music Nashville, Cindy Mabe - Universal Music Nashville, Jennifer Mallory - Columbia Records, Sylvia Rhone, Traci Adams - Epic Records, Brenda Romano, Annie Lee, Nicole Wyskoarko, Erika Savage - Interscope Geffen A&M, Julie Swidler, Deirdre McDonald, Jennifer Fowler - Sony Music Entertainment, Carolyn Williams, Camille Yorrick - RCA Records, Desiree Perez - Roc Nation, Dia Simms - Combs Enterprises, Sarah Stennett - First Access Entertainment, Ama Walton - BMG, Dana DuFine, Debra Rathwell, Brooke Michael Kain - AEG, Amy Howe - Ticketmaster North America, Kate McMahon, Sara Winter-Banks - Messina Touring Group, Kathy Willard, Heather Parry, Maureen Ford, Tara Traub - Live Nation Entertainment, Emma Banks, Marlene Tsuchii, Carole Kinzel, Caroline Yim - Creative Artists Agency, Natalia Nastaskin, Cheryl Paglierani - United Talent Agency, Yves C. Pierre, Jacqueline Reynolds-Drumm - ICM Partners
Producer of the Year Rosalía was honored with the first ever Producer of the Year award in 2023.
2023: Rosalía 2024: PinkPantheress
Mother of the Year Award
2025: Tina Knowles
See also Billboard Canada Women in Music Billboard Italia Women in Music Billboard Latin Women in Music Billboard Philippines Women in Music WME Awards by Billboard Brasil
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