Back in April at the Academy of Country Music's Party For A Cause, I was absentmindedly singing and dancing along with the singers I'd dreamed of seeing in concert since I could still count my age on my hands, when one of my close guy friends turned to me and said something to the effect of, it makes so much sense that you love these songs. Confused, I asked him why, and he said these songs are all about women's empowerment and being a strong and confident woman. Surprised and taken aback, I realized he was right. My whole life I'd been listening to artists like Martina McBride and the Dixie Chicks and thought they were just songs. It turns out they were shaping my ideology all along.

Even though country music isn't known for being particularly liberal or progressive regarding singing positively about women, these female artists changed the stereotype without most of us even noticing. So, while you're trying to make a playlist this summer for your road trips, days by the pool, and long plane rides consider adding these five songs to the list.

1. Kellie Pickler, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"

This song not only shows young girls of all sizes, races, and ethnicities playing sports, being strong, being silly, being girly, i.e. expressing the many dimensions girls have, but Kellie Pickler also sings about that. Growing up, this was my go-to song whenever I was feeling self-conscious or insecure, and seven years later it's still applicable. This song is all about realizing that just by being you, you're beautiful.

Favorite line: "Now, I know you'd give anything just to fit in, but worth ain't on a price tag, it comes from within."

2. Maddie & Tae, "Girl In A Country Song"

You didn't think I could get through this list and not add this one, did you? This song and it's video are pieces of social satire for the men of country music. For so long we've heard some of the male artists sing less than empowering songs about "their women" that border on, and sometimes cross the line of, objectifying. The video is not only funny, but it makes a statement that is long overdue in not only the world of country music but America as a whole.

Favorite line: "Cause I got a name, and to you it ain't 'pretty little thing', 'honey' or 'baby.'"

3. Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready To Make Nice"

I love this song for a lot of reasons, but especially for the backstory. Back in 2003, lead singer, Natalie Maines, spoke about how she disagreed with, at the time, President George W. Bush's plans to push for war with Iraq. Radio stations stopped playing their music because they felt they were "anti-American" and one radio station in Missouri even held a Dixie "chicken toss" where fans could throw away all of the band's CDs, merchandise, and concert tickets. This song is the product of that scandal. Everyone was enraged that these women dared to have an opinion and speak their minds. This song reminds girls everywhere how important it is to use your voice even when everyone is telling you not to.

Favorite line: "It's a sad, sad story when a mother would teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger."

4. Kacey Musgraves, "Follow Your Arrow"

This song was without a doubt one of my high school anthems. Kacey Musgraves sings about how there are so many double standards in this country, especially when it comes to women, that there's no way to win. The message of the song is that no matter what you do, you're always going to be "too much" of something in someone else's eyes, so you might as well just be yourself and try not to worry about what anyone else says. This is not only an important message for young girls but everyone of all genders.

Favorite line: "If you save yourself for marriage you're a bore. If you don't save yourself for marriage, you're a whore-able person."

5. Martina McBride, "This One's For The Girls"

This is another song I grew up listening to, but only recently truly understood the message. She incorporates girls during all of the stages of their lives and the real obstacles we face along the way. From awkward and horrible high school years to trying to figure out who you are in your twenties, to embracing your wrinkles as you age into your forties. It's an empowering song for women of all ages.

Favorite line: "This one's for the girls, who love without holding back, who dream with everything they have."

This is certainly not a comprehensive list. These are just a few of the songs that shaped my ideology about feminism and helped me learn to accept myself for who I was while growing up. What female country artists have helped and shaped you over the years? Comment them below, because we can all use a little girl power sometimes.