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The ‘JRZ Airstaff Shares All Their 80’s Favorites

10 Iconic Women Of The 80’s

Barbara Farragher November 10th, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Singer Whitney Houston accepts the Winner of International - Favorite Artist Award onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

We have so many ladies to thank for the trends that kept us going during the 80’s (and beyond!) Here is my list of 10 standout and iconic women of the decade.

While you’re here.. VOTE for the 80 Essential Hits From The 80’s.

  • Cyndi Lauper

    She’s So Unusual was the name of her album and an understatement. Tartan skirts, buzzed red hair, helium voice, an alien with infectious melodies that MTV couldn’t get enough of.

  • Debbie Harry

    Marilyn Monroe looks with a snarl that debunked the dumb blonde narrative. I saw her at the Basie a few years ago and she didn’t lose an ounce of her rock goddess-ness!

  • Janet Jackson

    The slick funk of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from The Time helped the youngest Jackson gain Control from her family on that debut album.

  • Jennifer Gray

    “Nobody puts baby in the corner” is a catch phrase from Dirty Dancing that encapsulates rebellion associated with dating the bad boy that no one approves for. Those were the days…

  • Madonna

    Bangled and laced gyrations that tested the patience of the temple elders and parents alike—what’s not to love when you were a teenager? The lyrics were so provocative at the time, yet tame by today’s standards.

  • Molly Ringwold

    She suffered every teenage girl embarrassment with doe eyes and quivering, pouty lips in those John Hughes films.  She charmed a generation as one of the “Brat Pack”. So many identified with her and dreamed of dating Jake Ryan in 16 Candles!

  • Olivia Newton John

    Sandra Dee strapped on a headband and squeezed into shiny leggings and helped us all get in shape with “Physical, her #1 hit in 1981.

  • Pat Benatar

    1981’s Precious Time was the perfect aggressive rock, with the soaring voice and the pop metal chords, to hit the roller rink hard in 1981!

  • Princess Diana

    While her wedding was the blueprint of every girl’s dream, it is her devotion to charity and care for the disenfranchised that made her the model for every woman.

  • Whitney Houston

    Before her life became a reality show tragedy, Whitney was a pure pop sweetheart. “Saving All My Love For You” is one of the sweetest love songs of the decade from her 1985 debut album.

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