I believe that it's so important for young girls to have good female role models in their life. These women have empowered me from my childhood, to my teenage years, to who I am now as a young adult.

1. Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is one of my favorite singers of all time. Her album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is probably my favorite albums of all time. Her music is both empowering and vulnerable. I love that she always stayed true to herself no matter what people were saying. When I was in high school struggling to find out who I was, I felt a strong connection with her. Lauryn is the reason I picked up the guitar. Listening to songs like "I gotta to find piece of mind" and "Zion" which are about her feeling lost and distressed but still coming out strong got me through. When I saw her in concert in 2016 it was a life changing experience. Lauryn always brings the energy and puts her heart and soul in every performance and song she sings.

2. India Arie

I grew up listening to India Arie and her music makes me feel so confident. I've been a fan since elementary school. I fell in love with her soulful tones, her beautiful acoustic strings, and the messages in her songs. Growing up seeing beautiful brown skin women loving themselves, overcoming stereotypes and being comfortable in their bodies made me feel at home in mine. For that I will forever be grateful to you, India.

3. Mary J. Blige

Man, I've always thought of Mary as my long lost auntie. She embodies resilience and female empowerment. She is so transparent in her music about her life, heartbreaks, and insecurities. She's been making great music since before I was born and she's still going in! Mary's music is all about women knowing their worth and not letting people bring you down, especially in relationships. When you're sad over a breakup, Mary is that friend that will tell you how much that person is missing out and how crazy they are for hurting you.

4. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys inspired me to learn the piano when I was seven. When I listened to Alicia Keys as a kid, I had never had my heart broken before or been in love, but I felt what she was singing. I felt her music. I felt her style. As I grew up and went through those things and went back and listened to the old songs of hers that I adored like "Diary", "Fallen" and "If I Ain't Got You" they made so much more sense and made me love her even more.

5. Beyoncé

What more is there to say? She's Beyoncé for crying out loud! Beyoncé is so inspiring to me because she's so versatile. She has a song for every mood that you're going through. You feeling silly? Play "7/11". You feeling confident? Play "Flawless." You falling in love? Play "Love On Top." Whatever it is you're going through she's got your back.

Thanks to these ladies I've been empowered to be the confident strong woman I am today.