Respect for The Queen of Soul

Legendary singer and activist Aretha Franklin was a champion of music, culture, civil rights, human rights, the women’s movement and so much more. Her words on respect and human rights are our Quote of the Week in honor of the two year anniversary of her death in 2018.

Aretha Franlin Respect
Portrait of Aretha Franklin by Andy Warhol

“We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.” – Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul was a champion of civil rights and women’s liberation. Her 1967 hit song “Respect” inspired millions of women and African Americans during a turbulent period of social unrest in America. “Respect” quickly became and remains an anthem for both social movements. “Respect” was originally written by the legendary Otis Redding and was re-imagined by Aretha from a female perspective.

Aretha stood for inclusion, diversity, equality and freedom. Thought of as an icon for civil rights and feminism, she has been described as “the voice of the civil rights movement, the voice of black America” and a “symbol of black equality”. One of many inspiring quotes is:

“I think woman and children and older people are the three least disrespected groups in our society” — ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin at the April 17, 2017 screening of "Clive Davis: Soundtrack of Our Lives" documentary, opening night of Tribeca Film Festival at Radio City Music Hall, NYC

Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25, 1942.and passed away August 16th, 2018 at her home in Detroit after complications from pancreatic cancer. The legendary singer has Socially Sparked® our lives for five decades. The music and cultural icon left behind a legacy of music and empowering words that will stay ingrained in our hearts and minds forever.

Her countless achievements include 20 chart-topping R&B hits, 50 Top 40 Hits, 18 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Legend Award. She was the first woman to be indoctrinated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, the youngest woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honor in 1994, and the first woman to receive a Pulitzer Prize special citation. She received this honor post-humously in 2019 for her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades. Deservedly so, Rolling Stone magazine places her No. 1 on the list of “The Greatest Singers Of All Time.”

A documentary about the life of Aretha Franklin is slated for theatrical release in January 2021. To learn more about the legendary singer you can visit her website: ArethaFranklin.

Socially Sparked

We honor the late legendary singer and activist this week on the anniversary of her passing. She has left us with a treasure trove of music, advocacy, and empowering quotes and sayings. RIP Aretha! Send us your strength, courage and wisdom. Thankfully, we will always have your music to lift us up and enjoy forever. — Forever #SociallySparked  Tweet us @sosparkednews & @asparks01