Billboard Women in Music

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. Taylor Swift is the most awarded woman of the event, with three awards (two Woman of the Year awards and the Woman of the Decade award).
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.
Woman of the Decade Award
Taylor Swift was honored 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)
Woman of the Year Award
In 2007, Reba McEntire was honored with 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. Billie Eilish is the youngest artist to ever be honored with the award. Cardi B became the first rapper to receive the accolade. The most recent winner is SZA.
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
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
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.
2015: Demi Lovato
2016: Alessia Cara
2017: Kehlani
2018: SZA
2022: Karol G
2023: Lainey Wilson
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
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
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
Legend Award
2015: Loretta Lynn
Breakthrough Artist
2014: Idina Menzel
2015: Tori Kelly
2016: Maren Morris
2017: Camila Cabello
2023: TWICE
Hitmaker Award
The Hitmaker Award is given to the songwriter whose compositions have significantly impacted culture.
2014: Charli XCX
2020: Dolly Parton
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
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
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 first visionary award in Billboard's history.
2023: Lana Del Rey
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
Notes
References
Awards established in 2006
2006 establishments in the United States
Billboard awards
Music awards honoring women