Women in History: Composers

Throughout history, women have contributed to the arts in a variety of ways. Women composers have written, created, and performed some of the most inspiring art in history. Yet, much of the time, these women have been forgotten along the way. With such historic contributions, women composers have changed history in ways that should be recognized and remembered.

Musicians

Women in music have played various roles throughout the years. Composers, performers, and conductors are just some of the parts that women have played in the field of music. The first female composer was Hildegard von Bingen, a nun who lived during the middle ages. Hildegard was a prolific writer who wrote several pieces of music. The evidence of her writings has been found and is considered the oldest of female musical compositions. During the 18th century, women were still considered to be less important than men, and were taught some of the arts to be a source of entertainment. Many of these women went on from using their musical gifts for entertaining their husbands to composing and performing brilliant pieces of music. Clara Schumann, who was married to a composer, was a gifted pianist and composer herself. She spent many years traveling and playing to uplift those around her in her concerts. Historically, women all over the world have performed and inspired others with their musical talents. In the 21st century, women have successfully come into a realm of being appreciated for their gifts, providing the music world with a feminine slant that cannot be reproduced by men.

• Diana Ambache on Women Composers: Commentary about the history of women in music.
• Early Women Masters: Examples and downloadable sound files of historical women’s music.
• International Association of Women in Music: Article about Hildegard von Bingen.
• Polish Music Center: An outline history of women composers in Poland.
• Turkish Music Portal: Women in the Ottoman music tradition.
• Celebrating Women Composers: Brief summaries of several historical female composers.
• Sally Bingham Center: Introduction and scope of women in music.
• The History of Women in Music: Brief account of some women musicians.
• Women in Music: Report of several historical female musicians.
• The Life and Works of Hildegard von Bingen: Biography of the composer.
• History of Classical Music: Short biography of Clara Schumann.
• Women in Jazz: Brief history of several female jazz artists.

Artists

Notable female artists throughout the centuries have been understated. For many years, women deferred to men when claiming an audience for their art. Early forms of art were items that were sewn or handled with a spindle to create wall hangings or coverings, and were something women could create to express art within the work. As the renaissance period began, painting became more common. Women were depicted in the paintings more than were actually given credit for creating them. Still life paintings and portraits became common during this period, and women also began developing in the area of sculpture. It was during this time that people were beginning to receive education in the area of art, although most schools only reserved places for men. Women who received an education in art were usually only allowed because of a family member who was involved in the trade. In the 19th century, the number of art schools increased as well as art societies. The rise of feminism in the 20th century opened the doors for many women to finally begin attending schools equally with men and to gain prominence in many art societies, finally receiving credit for the work they had done.

• Journal of San Diego History: Early San Diego women artists.
• National Museum of Women in the Arts: Short biography of a Dutch artist during the middle ages.
• Women and Art in the Renaissance: Explanation of women’s art history during the renaissance period.
• Women Artists: Examples from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Jewish Women’s Archive: History of 19th century artist Louise Nevelson.
• Timeline of Art History: Biography about the life and works of Georgia O’Keefe.
• Newark Public Library: Prints by women artists.
• Speed Museum: Four contemporary women artists.
• Crossing the Threshold: Information about several female artists.
• History of Women Through Art: Explanation of the history with examples.
• Women’s Issues: Feminist art Victorian to present.
• Women Artists of the American West: Pottery by American Indian women.
• Artemisia Gentileschi: Descriptive biography of the artist.
• NIH Record: Celebrating women’s history in art.
• Artwomen.org: Reviews of exhibitions of feminist artists.

Poets

Women have been writing for many years. Poetry, like many other art forms, is a source of expression for women who lived in oppressive circumstances. The poems of women have conveyed a beauty that has not always been recognized in other prose. Poetry was written as a way of revealing what was seen surrounding the woman writing it. The impact of relationships with others also formed the basis for many poems of women, and their prose ranges from lilting verse to the contemporary political-infused words of today. One well-known poet from the 19th century was Emily Dickinson, who was a recluse and took to writing as a form of communication with others. Her writing was affected by those around her and her losses in life. Her poetry was not discovered until after her death, and then published posthumously. Contemporary women poets tend to focus more on issues at hand, political views, or race. Nikki Giovanni, an African American female poet, is known for her writing about activism and education. Women today have more opportunities to be published as feminism has bridged many gaps for women to express themselves through poetry.

• Poet Seers: Women poets throughout history.
• Study of Women in the Ancient World: Excerpt from ancient prose, Sappho’s Lyre.
• Academy of American Poets: Three women of the Harlem renaissance.
• Poetry Foundation: Biography of poet Mina Loy.
• Women in World History: Information about Bhakti Poets.
• Deferred Dreams: The voice of African American women’s poetry.
• Poets.org: The life and times of Emily Dickinson.
• Emily Dickinson Museum: Poet background.
• Modern American Poetry: Gwendolyn Bennett’s life and career.
• Nikki Giovanni: Biography of the poet.
• A Celebration of Women Writers: 18th century poet Mary Darby Robinson.
• Poetry Archive: Background of poet Elaine Feinstein.
• Maya Angelou: Official site of the poet.

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