In the early 1900s jazz became a springboard for women. After the women's liberation movement in the 1920s, jazz became an outlet for rebellion. Along with the ratification of the 18th and 19th Amendments, women became more empowered and wanted to be seen as individuals. There were many obstacles along the way that women faced in becoming part of the world of jazz. However, over time jazz has changed the way women are perceived; it gave women freedom, acceptance and opportunity. In return, women like Mary Lou Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Lil Harden and others have made significant contributions to jazz music, shaping it and making jazz what it is today. Although women made enormous contributions to jazz in the early 1900s, most female musicians went unnoticed. Innovations in jazz seemed to come primarily from those who played wind instruments, such as the trumpet, saxophone, or clarinet. However, these were considered masculine positions. Most women took up other instruments such as the piano. Mary Lou Williams and Lillian Hardin were pianists and are now recognized as great collaborators in jazz music, but they did not receive the same recognition in the early 1900s. During this period women were sometimes used in a band more for their looks than talent . It was only with the introduction of female singers, whose role was similar to that of wind instruments, that he expanded the dimensions of jazz. These melodic vocal improvisations were one of the major contributions women made to jazz. This certainly helped give recognition to women like Ella Fitzgerald and changed the role and view of women forever. Mary Lou William was one of the most accomplished and influential jazz pianists, arrangers, composers and teachers. paper ......jazz groups or played in family groups. Women have been fighting for a place in the spotlight for years and finally got it when Ella Fitzgerald came along. Fitzgerald created the turning point for the acceptance of women in the jazz industry when the voice was added as an important instrument to the art. Back in the day, women like Fitzgerald were able to enjoy successful careers and worldwide popularity while some other women were less fortunate. However these famous women; Fitzgerald, Hardin and Williams are the reason women were accepted in this industry and without the tenacity of these women jazz would never have been the same. Overall, there are so many women who have made great contributions to jazz. Fitzgerald, Hardin and Williams are just some of those who have overcome sexism to carefully read their dreams. With this result women gained power, freedom and changed jazz forever.