Faith Hill during Pixelon.com Launches as "The Internet's Largest Full-Screen Full Motion Internet Video Broadcaster" with a Party and Concert at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, 1999 at MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. / Patty Loveless performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on September 18, 1993 in Mountain View California. / Shania Twain
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Let's Go Girls: 43 Women Who Shaped '90s Country

These women ruled '90s country radio.

The 1990s saw the rise of female country artists raised on the no-holds-barred songs of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Jean Sheperd and more. Following in the footsteps of women who'd kicked down doors in Music City, '90s female country singers such as Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Deana Carter and The Chicks flooded the airwaves of FM radio, bringing with them songs of independence and anthems of empowerment.

In turn, these women inspired a whole new generation: Contemporary country artists such as Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Carly Pearce, Reyna Roberts and Lainey Wilson have cited '90s hitmakers LeAnn Rimes, Patty Loveless and Lee Ann Womack as major influences.

Without their songs about coming-of-age romance, breakups, make-ups, all-night drives, strawberry wine and wide open spaces, country music in the '90s wouldn't have been the same.

Here are 43 female country singers from the '90s who helped define the genre and made the decade's country music unforgettable — and suggestions of rising and contemporary artists to add to your playlists.

Check out our playlist celebrating '90s country women below. 

READ MORE: Female Country Singers: The Top 45 of All Time