In some respects, the Country Music Association has always done better than a lot of organizations within the "Nashville machine" at incorporating women into its mission.
The CMA trophies for Male and Female Vocalist of the Year are honors to receive, not just in recognition of a single musical work, but in recognition of a year spent contributing to the country music genre as a whole.
Since the CMA Awards' inception in 1967, when Eddy Arnold nabbed the first-ever Entertainer of the Year trophy, there have been many deserving country singers awarded the title.