Founded in 2011 to empower, uplift, and spotlight women who are making a difference. Courageous Woman Magazine is a digital and print publication that celebrates women’s voices, victories, and vision. With a readership that spans globally, we’ve featured hundreds of influential women—from entrepreneurs and community leaders to pageant queens and powerhouses—who are courageously walking in their purpose. We don’t just tell stories—we create platforms that spark opportunities.
About The Founder/Editor-In-Chief
Dr. Telishia Berry is the CEO of Strive Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of Courageous Woman Magazine, which she transformed from a blog into a thriving print publication with just $30 and unwavering faith. With over 12 years in publishing, she has featured more than 200 cover stories and helped over 500 authors publish bestselling books.
A sought-after speaker and visibility coach, Dr. Telishia inspires women globally to believe in themselves and launch their dreams. She recently appeared on the hit TV show Double Crossed and is pitching film projects, including one based on her novel The Baptist Junkie.
She holds the titles of Ms. Elite U.S. 2024 and Ms. Elite West Coast 2023 under the Women of Achievement National Pageant system. A recipient of the Presidential Award from President Biden and Vice President Harris.
WOMEN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
Dr. Janice McLean DeLoaatch
Claudia Jordan
The WOMEN SONGWRITERS
HALL OF FAME 2025 Honorees
Dr. Stacy L. Smith
A leading voice for inclusion in entertainment and the founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative (AII), the world’s foremost think tank on inequality in media. A recipient of the 2025 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, her research spans gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health across film, TV, music, and digital platforms. She created the inclusion rider, popularized at the 2018 Oscars, and launched the 4% Challenge to support women directors. Smith has testified before Congress, spoken at the UN, and launched the Proof of Concept Accelerator with Cate Blanchett. Her work is widely covered in outlets like The New York Times and CBS This Morning and has inspired industry-wide change.
Vicki Peterson
Founding member of The Bangles, helped shape '80s pop-rock with hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Eternal Flame.” Known for her distinctive guitar work and songwriting, Peterson added depth to the band's signature sound. Beyond The Bangles, she explored musical versatility through side projects like The Psycho Sisters, Continental Drifters, and Action Skulls
She’s collaborated with artists including Tom Petty, Belinda Carlisle, and The Go-Go’s. In 2025, she and husband John Cowsill will release Long After the Fire in tribute to the late Cowsill brothers. Vicki’s enduring influence as a pioneering woman in rock continues to inspire. Her Women Songwriters Hall of Fame induction honors her legacy as a barrier-breaking artist and timeless songwriter.
Janis Ian
A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose groundbreaking career began in her teens with the hit “Society’s Child,” a bold song about interracial love. Her 1975 classic “At Seventeen” earned her a second Grammy and cemented her place as a lyrical powerhouse. With a career spanning folk, pop, and contemporary music, Ian has also written for artists like Roberta Flack and published works as a columnist and science fiction author. A vocal advocate for artists’ rights, she founded the Pearl Foundation, which funds scholarships for returning students. Honored for her powerful voice and advocacy, Janis Ian will be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025, celebrating her enduring impact on music and culture.
Melba Moore
A Tony Award-winning singer and actress that has built an extraordinary career spanning Broadway, R&B, soul, funk, and disco. Known for her powerful four-octave range, Moore made history in Hair and won a Tony for Purlie. She earned Grammy nominations and scored hits like “This Is It,” “Love’s Comin’ At Ya,” “Falling,” and “A Little Bit More” with Freddie Jackson. She starred in the CBS sitcom Melba and was the first Black woman to play Fantine in Les Misérables. Moore's version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is now archived in the Congressional Record. In 2025, she will be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, honoring her enduring impact as a songwriter and trailblazer in music.
Lari White
A trailblazing singer, songwriter, and producer whose soulful voice and fearless creativity left an indelible mark on country music. Rising to fame in the 1990s, her gold-certified album Wishes produced multiple Top Ten hits. A native of Florida and a University of Miami graduate, Lari blended musical excellence with technical skill, becoming one of Nashville’s few female producers. She worked with artists like Billy Dean, Toby Keith, and BeBe Winans, and also on Broadway and in film. Lari passed away in 2018, but her legacy continues through her family, philanthropic work, and timeless music. She will be posthumously inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025.
Janiva Magness
A Grammy-nominated blues powerhouse, celebrated for her soul-stirring voice and raw emotional honesty. With 17 albums and seven Blues Music Awards—including the prestigious B.B. King Entertainer of the Year—Magness has left a profound mark on blues and roots music. Her 2023 album Back for Me showcases her gift for uncovering emotional depth in overlooked songs by artists like Bill Withers and Doyle Bramhall II. She’s also a published author; her 2019 memoir Weeds Like Us shares her powerful story of resilience. A fearless interpreter and trailblazer, Magness will be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025, honoring her rich contributions to contemporary blues and her impact on the art of songcraft.
Asha Puthli
A groundbreaking vocalist and composer, is one of India’s most influential musical exports. Known for her work on Ornette Coleman’s Science Fiction and her own genre-blending solo albums like The Devil is Loose, she fused jazz, funk, soul, disco, and Indian classical music with a cosmic flair. Her cult hit “Space Talk” became a dancefloor classic and a favorite for hip-hop sampling. Puthli has collaborated with legends including Roy Ayers, Alice Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins, and her music has been remixed by today’s top DJs. After a decades-long hiatus, she returned to sold-out international stages and critical acclaim. Her style, voice, and boundarypushing artistry have influenced generations of musicians. From Studio 54 to the Smithsonian, her legacy bridges East and West with fearless innovation. In 2025, she is honored with induction into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing her bold contributions to music and culture.
Christina Shusho
A tanzanian gospel singer, songwriter, and preacher is one of Africa’s most beloved spiritual voices. Since her 2005 debut, her music has seamlessly combined traditional African rhythms with contemporary gospel, yielding hits such as “Unikumbuke” and “Emmanuel.” Her lyrics—rooted in faith, hope, and resilience—have inspired millions. Beyond music, she is a respected preacher and role model, known for her authenticity and spiritual leadership. Shusho’s impact spans generations and borders, with consistent charttopping albums and sold-out concerts. In 2025, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, a tribute to her extraordinary talent, influence, and dedication to gospel music. Her legacy continues to uplift hearts and souls worldwide.
Regina Belle
A Grammy and Academy Award-winning singersongwriter celebrated for her rich blend of R&B, soul, jazz, and gospel. A classically trained vocalist from Englewood, NJ, she rose to fame with hits like “Baby Come to Me,” “Make It Like It Was,” and the iconic duet “A Whole New World” with Peabo Bryson. Belle’s dynamic voice and lyrical depth span decades of chart-topping music and soul-stirring gospel. Despite personal health challenges, she remains a powerful performer and inspirational artist. In 2025, Belle’s induction into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame honors her exceptional songwriting and her enduring impact on American music. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of vocalists, songwriters, and music lovers worldwide.
Sylvia Moy
Sylvia Moy made history as Motown’s first female songwriter and producer, helping shape its iconic sound. She wrote over 150 songs for legends like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, including hits like “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” and “My Cherie Amour.” A six-time Grammy nominee and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, she earned over 25 BMI awards. Beyond music, Sylvia was a dedicated advocate who founded Detroit’s Center for Creative Communications and launched Muziki Publishing. Even after Motown, she continued to create prolifically. Following her passing in 2017, her family established the Estate of Sylvia Moy LLC to preserve her legacy. In 2025, she will be posthumously inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame—a tribute to her enduring influence.
Julie Giroux
An Emmy Award-winning composer, arranger, and conductor has left an indelible mark on film, television, and concert music. With credits spanning Dynasty, White Men Can’t Jump, and the Academy Awards, she became the first woman and youngest person to win the Emmy for Music Direction. Giroux’s concert works have been performed in over 140 countries, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. She is the first female composer inducted into the American Bandmasters Association and was honored at the 2021 and 2025 U.S. Presidential Inaugurations. With over 200 published works and a legacy of breaking barriers in a maledominated field, Julie Giroux will be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2025.
Brenda Russell
An acclaimed singer, songwriter, and keyboardist whose career spans decades of soulful hits and genre-defying musicality. Known for her evocative lyrics and sophisticated melodies, she penned timeless classics like “Piano in the Dark” and “Get Here,” the latter made globally famous by Oleta Adams. Her songs have been recorded by legends including Diana Ross, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Luther Vandross. A co-writer of the Tonynominated score for The Color Purple musical, Russell continues to impact music and theater alike. With her rich blend of pop, R&B, and jazz influences, she remains a vital voice in modern music. In 2025, she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, honoring her powerful and enduring songwriting legacy.
