Wonder Woman of the Week: Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin is a bombshell of the American music industry. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won 18 Emmy Awards for her music, and produced 77 Billboard Top 100 Singles throughout her career, and is considered one of the greatest musicians of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Aretha Franklin began singing gospel music in her local church at an early age before landing a [secular] record deal with Columbia Records when she turned eighteen. At this time however, Franklin received little praise and even less money; so in 1967, Franklin signed with rival record label Atlantic Records with whom she would become a Rock and Roll legend.

Franklin reached the peak of her commercial success during her reign with Atlantic Records from 1967-1979, but continues to produce music and perform today. Her music landed the title of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee in 1987 when she became the first woman to receive the honor. Franklin also earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, had her voice declared a "natural resource," earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, received a National Medal of Arts, and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.