Wonder Woman of the Week: Joan Baez

I have waited far too long to showcase this week’s Wonder Woman. She was a pacifist, environmental activist, staunch feminist, and she even performed at Woodstock. This week’s Wonder Woman played music with Woody Guthrie, performed at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, and helped launch Bob Dylan’s career. Joan Baez is the Wonder Woman of the Week.

Joan Baez was born in Staten Island, NY to a Mexican immigrant father and Scottish immigrant mother. Baez’s parents influenced the young girl to become a pacifist, preferring peaceful means of resolution and refusing violence. Because of her pacifism and dark skin, Joan was often bullied in school by her white classmates, so she sought solitude in music. After her family moved to Cambridge, MA, Baez began playing folk music and performed at local venues. In her first album, Joan Baez performed folk songs reflecting her political and social views. Soon after it’s release, Baez met the then-unknown Bob Dylan. [1]

The American public continued to criticize Joan Baez for her race and political views. In 1963, Baez performed during the March on Washington- a Civil Rights march led by Martin Luthor King Jr. During the 1960’s Baez headlined numerous concerts- including Woodstock- and released ten albums. [2] Baez often protested the Vietnam War, and- in 1967- was banned from performing by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the Constitution Hall. [3]

In 1968, Joan Baez married a fellow antiwar protester and draft-dodger; David Harris. Her husband was arrested for refusing to adhere to the draft. During his time in prison, Baez traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to perform and helped establish Amnesty International on the West Coast. [4]

Music changed forever when the Beatles came to the United States. Most folk musicians turned to rock to capitalize on the Beatles’ success, but Baez stuck to her roots and began recording with country music record labels. During the 1970’s, Baez found even more success with her country music fan base that didn’t seem to mind her political views or her race. [3]

In 1978, Joan Baez continued her social activism to protest violence, nuclear weapons, and anti LGBT laws. She received the American Civil Liberties Union’s Earl Warren Award for her commitment to civil rights, started and led for thirteen years the Humanitas International Human Rights Committee, and won the San Francisco Bay Area Music Award. During the 1980’s and 90’s Baez continued to work towards civil rights in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. She also performed with up-and-coming female artists like the Indigo Girls in 1990. [4]

Joan Baez helped launch numerous artists’ careers including Bob Dylan. She fought for African-American and Hispanic-American Civil Rights, along with Women’s and LGBT Rights. Her protests against violence ranged from Vietnam to Ireland and the Czech Republic. On top of all of that, she’s one of the greatest singers of all time.

"Joan Baez Biography." Bio.com. 2015. Accessed March 25, 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/joan-baez-9195061.

"Joan Baez | Biography | AllMusic." AllMusic. Accessed March 25, 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/joan-baez-mn0000069153/biography.

Lewis, Jone. "Biography of Joan Baez - Folksinger and Activist." About.com. Accessed March 25, 2015. http://womenshistory.about.com/od/joanbaez/a/joan_baez.htm.

"Biography." The Joan Baez Web Pages. Accessed March 25, 2015. http://www.joanbaez.com/officialbio08.html.