Janis Ian Honored

by Women Songwriters Hall of Fame

Women Songwriters Hall of Fame

Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary

With Two-Day Awards Gala

At The Mead Center for American Theatre

In Washington, DC June 20-21, 2025

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Continuing to build on its mission to empower the voices of women in music and spotlight the artistry and impact of female songwriters, composers, educators, engineers, executives and others, the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary with a two-day awards gala at the Mead Center for American Theatre in Washington, DC Friday and Saturday, June 20-21, 2025.

Among the 2025 honorees is 10-time GRAMMY nominee (three-time winner) Janis Ian, whose songs and performances have resonated with a diverse group of fans for more than six decades. She is one of just a handful of artists who have received nominations in eight completely different categories. Raised by activist Jewish parents on a New Jersey farm, she currently lives in Florida with her partner and wife of 36 years.

Ian received her first GRAMMY nomination in 1967 for “Best Folk Album” with Janis Ian, featuring “Society’s Child.” She took home her first GRAMMY in 1975 for “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female – At Seventeen,” and her second for “Best Spoken Word Album – Society’s Child: My Autobiography” in 2013. Her 2023 GRAMMY nomination for “Best Folk Album,” The Light at the End of the Line, brought her full circle.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Ian continues to release new projects. In May 2025, the never-released single “One In A Million” performed by Ian and Joan Baez was made available. Co-written by Ian and Jess Leary, it is an anthem for change and a reminder that your dreams are still attainable, do not lose hope.

And in June, Janis Ian – From Me To You: Live In Bremen 2004 became available. The double-CD release is the first album of a full live-show in 47 years. For more information, please visit JanisIan.com.

She is also making appearances to support the theatrical release of a documentary about her life and work. Janis Ian: Breaking Silence is helmed by award-winning director/producer Varda Bar-Kar, best known for Big Voice (Netflix, PBS) and Fandango at the Wall (Max). Along with Ian, the film, which will have a June 20, 2025 broadcast premiere on PBS’ famed American Masters, features interviews with friends including Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf, and others.

“The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards is like the Grammys to any other musical award show, the cool point being that it’s specifically for women songwriters,” says Dr. Janice McLean DeLoatch, an entrepreneur, songwriter and former radio talk show host who is the organization’s Founder, Chief Executive and Chairman. “In the research I conducted before deciding to launch the organization, I found that there are not many programs exclusively honoring women in entertainment at this level. We’re all about achieving parity and recognition for Girls and Women in Music, opening doors a bit more for those whose talents will bring us joy, inspiration and their songs on the radio for the next 50 years.”

In addition to Ian, the 2025 honorees include Melba Moore, Brenda Russell, Regina Belle, Sylvia Moy, Julie Giroux, Janiva Magness, Vicki Peterson, YoYo (aka Yolanda Whitaker), Christina Shusho, Dr. Stacy L. Smith (USC Annenberg Study), Asha Puthli and the late Lari White.

Previous WSHOF inductees include Roberta Flack, Valerie Simpson, Klymaxx, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Deniece Williams, The Go-Go’s and the late Naomi Judd (2021); Marilyn Bergman, Gloria Estefan, Siedah Garrett, Indigo Girls, Loretta Lynn and Jody Watley (2022); Ann Hampton Calloway, Jan Daley, Scherrie Payne, Toni Basil, Angela Bofill, Pam Sawyer and the late Cynthia Weil and Olivia Newton-John (2023); and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Crystal Waters, Soon Hee Newbold and the late Angie Stone and Allie Willis (2024).

For more information, please visit https://womensongwritershalloffame.org.

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