Revolutionary Women in Music: Left of Center: Matriarchs, Riot Grrrls, & Truth Tellers

Matriarchs, Riot Grrrls, and Truth Tellers all have in common the freedom of self-expression and self-empowerment. MaTriaRcHs — or women heads of families, tribes, or organizations — have the influence and authority to push boundaries, subvert broken societal systems, and create in their place inclusive and supportive communities. 

RiOt GrrrL was created as such a community — an underground feminist punk movement that began during the 1990s in Olympia, Washington, and has since spread worldwide. Riot Grrrl was shaped by Matriarchs like Joan Jett and Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill as a response to the sexism and violence often found in the male-dominated punk scene. Riot Grrrl called “girls to the front,” speaking women’s truth to power in a society where they felt marginalized and without voice. 

Like Riot Grrrls, TrUtH TeLLeR singer-songwriters speak truth to power but across genre, from neo-folk to soul to alt pop, taking listeners on intimate journeys through authentic women’s stories of life and death, connection and loss, injustice and rebellion, prejudice, and empowerment. 

Artists featured in this section of the exhibit include: