Wonder Woman of the Week: Aretha Franklin | The Odyssey Online

Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Wonder-Woman Of The Week: Aretha Franklin

Musical icon, Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame recipient, and a trailblazer in the civil rights and women's rights movements.

Sep 12, 2018

Fordham University

89

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Aretha_Franklin_Respekt_2014.jpg

upload.wikimedia.org

Aretha Franklin dubbed the "Queen of Soul," died on August 16th in her home in Detroit at 76 years old. For her funeral, Franklin was dressed in a gold dress and shoes to compliment her golden casket and has attendees such as Ariana Grande, Bill Clinton, Barbara Streisand, and more. This eccentric celebration of Aretha Franklin's long and impactful life was not just because she was a musical icon, but because she heavily participated in the civil rights and women's rights movements.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why Aretha Franklin is my wonder-woman of the week:

1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Now a staple in music for generations upon generations of people, Aretha's hit single "Respect" was an anthem for what women of the second-wave feminist and civil rights movement demanded from society.

2. She showed her support and performed at pivotal civil rights conferences

c1.staticflickr.com

Acclaimed civil rights activist and senator John Lewis claimed that he would "never forget" Franklin's breathtaking performance at the Martin Luther King Jr. led Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta. She also toured the country with King in protest and sing gospel music.

3. She financially supported activists and groups of the civil rights movement

Apart from performing at landmark moments for the African-American community such as former President Barack Obama's inauguration and the aforementioned 1967 SCLC conference with Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin toured around the country in a series of concerts with the SCLC for free to provide monetary support to the civil rights movement. Reverend Jesse Jackson has said that "she helped [the organization] make payroll."

4. She supported the natural beauty movement

See on Instagram

In an age where women were trying to defy harsh beauty and social standards that were imposed on them, Aretha Franklin used her prestige and fame to show women that natural could be beautiful by wearing her natural, beautiful afro hair.

5. She vehemently fought against unjust treatment in the courts

c1.staticflickr.com

Aretha told Jet in 1970, "I'm going to see [Angela Davis] free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she's a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people." Angela Davis was an African American woman who was wrongfully accused and charged for the purchase of weapons that would later be used in a prison break.

Aretha Franklin, a woman vocally worthy of the momentous "Queen of Soul" title, was a true trailblazer who used her fame and talent to support a movement for equality and equal treatment for people of all races and genders. She lifted and motivated the spirits of the movement with her beautiful songs and voice, provided them with monetary support, and continued to support her community after the 1960's civil rights movement in the prolonging fight for equality.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

Ursinus College

190754

Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions

StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

New Brunswick, NJ

458072

Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts

StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

Thank you for all that you do for me
Thank you for working through disagreements with me
Thank you for always supporting me
I appreciate you more than words can express
You have helped me grow and become a better person
I can't wait to see where life takes us next
I promise to cherish every moment with you
Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

Rider University

26737

Map of Hauppauge, New York

Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Facebook Comments