Washington, U.S.A. – The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) closes its 25th Anniversary year by saluting women’s contributions to rock and roll in “Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power.” Organized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the exhibition highlights the flashpoints, the firsts, the celebrated, and the lesser-known women who have influenced the genre from its inception through today. The only east coast venue, “Women Who Rockopens” Friday, September 7, 2012, and closes January 6, 2013.

Moving through the rock and roll eras beginning in the 1920s, the exhibition highlights 70 artists and more than 250 artifacts ranging from photos, performance videos, and album covers, to more personal memorabilia such as costumes, instruments, and set lists.

From rock-and-roll foremothers such as Ma Rainey and Billie Holiday, to pioneers such as Wanda Jackson and LaVern Baker through 60s girl groups, 70s disco, 80s punk, and contemporary stars including Lady Gaga and Janelle Monae, “Women Who Rock” illustrates the essential roles women have played in moving rock and roll and American culture forward.

Visitors of all ages have a chance to see iconic items—handwritten lyrics by Janis Joplin, Patti Smith,Janet Jackson and Madonna, alongside clothes worn by Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Cher, Melissa Etheridge, and Rihanna among many others—demonstrating women’s musical creativity and power to inspire through rock and roll.

In addition to being the writer and/or voice of some of our favorite songs, many women rockers were also playing instruments in their bands. “Women Who Rock” features guitars played by Wanda Jackson,Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt and Taylor Swift, a drum played by Meg White and Lady Gaga’s childhood piano.

Founded in 1981 and opened in 1987, NMWA is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. The museum’s collection features 4,000 works from the 16th century to the present created by more than 1,000 artists.

Image Courtesy of  Lady Gaga

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After 17 years of artistic work, Melissa Lou Etheridge received a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on September 27. Etheridge, American rock singer-songwriter and musician, received the 2,450th sidewalk star on Hollywood boulevard. To celebrate, she she gathered with her family, mother Elizabeth and two children, Bailey and Beckett.

Etheridge dedicated her star to anyone who has difficulties in life to overcome. She said her star provides proof that anything is possible in life. ”Let my life be an inspiration to anyone, gay, straight, breast cancer, woman, mother, any human being who receives the inspiration from my story,” Etheridge said during the ceremony.

“You can have a dream that you can grow up in a small Midwestern town and believe, and desire and create a life and end up with a star on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.” According to ABC News, the ceremony took place in front of the Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood and was refined with the Pinktober campaign, a series of concerts and events which aim to raise money and awareness about breast cancer.

The mission of the Pinktober campaign is of specific importance to Etheridge. The star has been an ambassador of it for six years since she  was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in 2004. The 50-year-old Etheridge is recognizable and treasured in the music world for her unique husky voice and for writing very personal lyrics.

She is also a devoted environmental advocate and iconic gay and lesbian activist since coming out publically in January 1993. Her most recognizable songs are “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One.” “I learned very early on that I could write truths,” Etheridge told CNN. “I could write about sadness or anger, where I couldn’t actually speak it.”

According to Sheknows.com, Etheridge appeared at the 2005 Grammy awards after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. In one of the most memorable moments in Grammy history, Etheridge performed for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer. She awed the audience with her touching interpretation of Janice Joplin’s Piece of My Heart.

In 2005, Etheridge received an Oscar for the song “I Need to Wake Up,” a soundtrack to An Inconvenient Truth of Al Gore. “When I realized that my music was being listened to internationally, it meant so much to me. It started to become very obvious to me that music is an international language.” Etheridge said when she received the award.

According to Biography, Etheridge released her thirteenth album, Icon, this year.
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