Once the Kentucky-born performer opened the door to this forum, all the men in Music City couldn’t even begin to close it. Lynn’s direct, issue-oriented songwriting led other women to sing songs which expressed many of the real interests and fears concerning the modern woman. With her views, Lynn became an icon for women everywhere.
Even though Loretta’s country twang and simple manners should have endeared her only to the southern working class, Hollywood and New York embraced her as well. Lynn was featured in stories in every major magazine and became a voice for the women’s movement. Other experts may have been able to quote vast statistics and point out gross injustices, but with her “I’ve been there” approach, Loretta spoke far more clearly on the issues.
In many ways, Loretta Lynn was country music’s first recognized political voice. Even though the songs which established her as a real star were based on personal experiences, Lynn’s lyrics spoke directly to millions of women who had suffered silently for years. Her talent as a performer notwithstanding, it was her songwriting which took an uneducated girl from the far backwoods and made her into one of the nation’s most respected women. With her message, Lynn inspired not only her fans, but women everywhere to speak out and be heard. Those who were still too timid to do so had Lynn’s music to do it for them.
Lost in the glow of a Hall of Fame career, and hidden by the myth and legend that grew out of Loretta’s own traumas, had been the real impact and influence of this female pioneer. This important fact first became evident with “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and steadily grew with “Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “Fist City,” “Woman Of The World,” “I Wanna Be Free,” “Rated X,” “The Pill,” and “You’ve Come A Long Way Baby.” Without Lynn’s unadorned honesty, who knows how long it would have taken country music, or even the country in general, to face up to the power and needs of women.