Hey, everybody – Reader here.

It’s International Women’s Day, and from the official website, here’s the mission:

“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”

You can find more information here:

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Today, I think of all of the amazing women in my life.

Of course, it all started with my Mom, the one and only Lorna Read, and my Grandmas, Hilda Read and Norma Procknow, who raised me up from a little kid, taught me valuable lessons, set me on the right path, and have always had my back, no matter what.

Both of my Grandmas passed away several years ago, and I love them, miss them, and think of them often.

I never had any sisters growing up, but as the years have gone on, I’ve been lucky enough to gain three amazing sisters-in-law, Aimee, Niki, and most recently, Claudia. They’re all wonderful, and I’m super proud to have them in my family.

I have five awesome nieces – Sofie, Abbie, Brynn, Ella and Drew, ranging in age from almost 8 to 16. It’s been amazing to watch them grow up into wonderful young ladies, developing their own unique personalities and interests, and I can’t wait to see where their dreams and hard work take them.

And I’ve became friends with so many outstanding women throughout my lifetime, from all walks of life. My life is better because of them, and I’ve become better through knowing them, and through the influence they’ve had on me. Those closest to me know who they are, and I can’t imagine this world without them.

And, of course, being a radio station, we get to play a ton of amazing female artists, from Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Adele, to Stevie Nicks, Madonna, Alicia Keys and Selena Gomez, to outstanding Canadian artists, like Tegan & Sara, the Beaches, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne and Shania Twain.

Women bring their own unique sounds, viewpoints and influences to the music world, and I just wanted to showcase a few of my favourite artists, that maybe don’t get the worldwide recognition that I think they should.

Larkin Poe is made up of two guitar-slingin’ sisters from Georgia – Rebecca Lovell on lead vocals and electric guitar and Megan Lovell on the slide guitar, singing harmony. And they absolutely rock. Their most recent album is 2022’s “Blood Harmony,” and the title is exactly right… there’s a harmony you get that comes from family, that just can’t be duplicated!

Next up, is Brittany Howard. She’s a musical force of nature, in the best possible way. She’s known to many as the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for Grammy winners Alabama Shakes. But the band went on a hiatus in 2018, and she’s released a pair of great solo albums. From her first solo album, 2019’s “Jaime,” is a tune that always brings me up when I feel a little down.

Next up is Australia’s Missy Higgins, one of my absolute favourite artists. I was unfamiliar with her until I saw her perform during “Live Earth,” in 2007. I was instantly knocked out. She started making music as a teen, and she’s grown and matured as an artist with rare heart, that has a way of reaching deep down to draw out an amazing emotional response from everyone who hears her music.

Here’s a song Missy wrote for the Australian TV series “Total Control.”

Another fave is singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi, who spent many years doing her own thing, before melding her band with that of her husband, slide guitarist Derek Trucks, to form Tedeschi Trucks Band. There’s about 12 members in the band, men and women, who’ve come together to create something special. And it’s Susan’s amazing voice that’s front and centre. I love this track.

And finally, as a bonus, one of the most sublime voices in the history of popular music, the “First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald. If there’s one voice that has a way of making a chaotic world feel like everything is going to be okay, it’s Ella’s. Enjoy.

Once again… “Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”

What an amazing world that will be!

Let’s celebrate the women of the world… Ladies, you make this planet a better place!