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When Bitch released our Loud issue way back in September, our Pop Culture Debate Club at our local feminist bookstore and community center (slash last-standing feminist non-profit outpost!) In Other Words had chips and salsa, small dogs, and no lack of heated debate....over who was the greatest female rocker OF ALL TIME. While no one can say Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders isn't a total bad-ass, an unlikely argument was made for one Mariah Carey as the ultimate lady rocker and would you believe me if I said I wasn't just a little convinced? Chelsea Morrisey made the claim, and is on her way to rockstardom herself as a founding member and frontwoman of the emerging Portland band Dirty Mittens,who I had the chance to see the other night! MP3s and more after the jump!

 

OK, first things first. I love Beyonce. There is no point in me pretending otherwise. I think she is an amazing performer and I totally heart her catchy dance jams. But there is more to Beyonce than a solid hook and a hot ass, and it’s time we all took a moment to recognize.

Though her name may not make it onto a plaque in the Feminist Hall of Fame (OMG, wouldn’t it be fun if there was a Feminist Hall of Fame?), Beyonce injects a healthy dose of female empowerment into just about everything she touches. She is like a feminist King Midas (right down to the gold accessories). Sure, Beyonce's not perfect, but she explores and challenges gender politics in a way that we rarely see from Top 40 pop stars. To help make my point, I give you the Beyonce power pack. A collection of music videos, audio (including a gabfest-style podcast discussion on the topic), and links that will arm you with all of the information you need to answer the burning question, Is Beyonce a feminist icon in the making?