is an intern at The Root and senior journalism major at Howard University.
"A Song for Mama" by Boyz II Men
Mama, mama you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like Tears from the stars
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin' you is like food to my soul
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"They Say I'm Different" by Betty Davis
They say I'm different because I'm a piece of sugar cane
Sweet to the core
That's right, I got rhythm.
My great-grandma didn't like to fox trot,
instead she spitted snuff and boogied down.
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"Ladies Night" by Kool and the Gang
Romantic Lady, single Baby
Mmh, sophisticated mama Uuh!
Come on, you disco Lady, yeah
Stay with me tonight, mama
If you hear any noise, it ain't the boys
It's a Ladies Night, ah-ha
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"I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Kahn
I'm every woman
it's all in me
anything you want done, baby
I'll do it naturally.
I'm ev'ry woman
it's all in me
I can read your thoughts right now
everyone from A to Z.
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"And I Am Telling You" by Jennifer Holliday/Jennifer Hudson
Tear down the mountains,
Yell, scream and shout.
You can say what you want,
I'm not walkin' out.
Stop all the rivers,
Push, strike, and kill.
I'm not gonna leave you,
There's no way I will.
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"To Zion" by Lauryn Hill
Woe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said,
"Lauryn, baby use your head"
But instead I chose to use my heart
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"A Woman's Worth" By Alicia Keys
Cuz a real man knows a real woman when he sees her
And a real woman knows a real man ain't afraid to please her
And a real woman knows a real man always comes first
And a real man just can't deny a woman's worth
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"Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers
Grandma's hands
Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands
Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands
Used to lift her face and tell her,
"Baby, Grandma understands"
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"Real Love" by Mary J. Blige
I'm searching for the real love
Someone to set my heart free
Real love
I'm searching for a real love
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"Not Gon' Cry" by Mary J. Blige
11 years of sacrifice
And you can leave at the drop of a dime
Swallowed my fears, stood by your side
I shoulda left your ass a thousand times
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"Independent Women" by Destiny's Child
The shoes on my feet
I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing
I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin'
I've bought it
'Cause I depend on me
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"RESPECT" by Aretha Franklin
Ooo, your kisses
Sweeter than honey
And guess what?
So is my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give it to me when you get home
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"It's Not Right, But It's Ok" by Whitney Houston
It's not right, but it's okay
I'm gonna make it anyway
Close the door behind you
Leave your key
I'd rather be alone than unhappy
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"I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I'd've known for just one second you'd back to bother me
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"I Am Not My Hair" by India.Arie
Good hair means curls and waves
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
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"Video" by India.Arie
I'm not the average girl from your video
And I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
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"You Gotta Be" by Des'ree
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry
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"Golden" by Jill Scott
I'm taking my freedom,
Pulling it off the shelf,
Putting it on my chain,
Wear it around my neck,
I'm taking my freedom,
Putting it in my car,
Wherever I choose to go,
It will take me far.
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"Just Fine" by Mary J. Blige
No time for moping around, are you kidding?
And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning
It's been a long week, I put in my hardest
Gonna live my life, feels so good to get it right
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"32 Flavors" by Alana Davis
I am a poster girl with no poster,
I am 32 flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
so you might want to turn your head
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"Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.
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"Pocketbook" by Meshell Ndegeocello
Girl gotcha own thing
You know everybody
High class
Mediocre
The riff raff
Love is the root politic
Read between the paragraph
You know what you make after taxes
"11th Hour" by Dionne Farris
Walking away was the best thing I could ever do
'Cause once you make your decision, your decision is made
When we find ourselves up in arms more often than most
By then we know it's time to go
"Survivor" by Destiny's Child
You thought that I'd be helpless without ya,
But I'm smarter,
You thought that I'd be stressed without ya,
But I'm chillin'
You thought I wouldn't sell without ya,
Sold nine million.
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"Superwoman" by Alicia Keys
Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I'm a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I'm a Superwoman
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"Girl Talk" by TLC
Put in work
If you don't want the girl to talk
And you don't want your feelings hurt
Put in work
Cause if you don't
That girl's just gon' go spreadin' the word
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"Irreplaceable" by Beyonce
And it's my name thats on that jag
So go move your bags, let me call you a cab
Standing in the front yard, telling me
How I'm such a fool, talking 'bout
How I'll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted
Want this song? Buy it here.
DOWNLOAD ALL OF THE ROOT'S FAVORITE FEMALE ANTHEMS HERE.