She Is the Music recognized the contributions of Megan Moroney and Sylvia Rhone at its second Sharing the Spotlight event, held recently in Los Angeles. The initiative aims to highlight the achievements of women in the music industry while fostering opportunities for emerging female talent. Moroney received the Artist Spotlight award, while Rhone, notable for her pioneering role as the first Black and female CEO of a major record label, was honored with the Trailblazer Spotlight.
The event, held on February 18, featured a call for attendees to bring another woman to share the spotlight, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to increasing female representation in a historically male-dominated industry. The initiative has garnered support from various industry stakeholders, including partnerships with Spotify EQUAL, Live Nation Women, and Tunecore.
Despite progress in promoting gender diversity, the music industry still faces significant challenges. The number of female CEOs at major record labels remains low, with Rhone’s departure from Epic Records leaving Taylor Lindsey of Sony Music Nashville as the sole female CEO in the major label sector. The event underscored the ongoing need for awareness and action to achieve true gender parity across all levels of the industry.
She Is the Music, co-founded in 2018, has been instrumental in facilitating conversations about inclusion and creating mentorship opportunities for women in music. The organization continues to build a database of female talent, aiming to connect industry players with capable women for various roles, from internships to executive positions.