Aretha Franklin Dress

Amplified during the social justice movement, Aretha Franklin’s cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect” took on new fervor and became her first Number One hit in 1967. The meaning for both Redding and Franklin was simple and clear; they were demanding respect. The anthem would be adopted as a protest song for the Civil Rights and Women’s Liberation Movements. Franklin wore this dress during her first appearance at Radio City Music Hall. Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock Hall in 1987.