Happy Women’s History Month! Every March, the world acknowledges and celebrates the contributions made by women across the globe. From blazing their own trails to empowering communities, women have continued to push culture forward.

Whether it’s music, sport or politics, women continue to rise and set a shining example for others to follow. Mixcloud was certainly built thanks in part to the musical contributions of women across genres, sounds and moods. We remain incredibly grateful.

Turning our attention to the weird and wonderful world of radio, women have carved out unmistakably iconic shows and moments around the world. From Jenny Francis’ soulful tones on Choice FM to Annie Mac’s unmissable BBC Radio 1 run, memories have been made thanks to the women of radio.

We want to acknowledge some of the brilliant women in radio who are shaping the airwaves. Read on for some of today’s major players.

Maggie Tra

Over in Vietnam, Maggie Tra highlighted a gap in the country and diaspora’s creative scene. A space where DJs, presenters and artists could co-exist, with the aim of uplifting each other. With this mission, the DJ and producer founded Hà Noi Community Radio to bring creativity under one roof. The result is a blossoming vessel of Vietnam’s burgeoning music scenes. One guided and moulded by women from step to step.

“For Hà Noi Community Radio it’s so important for me to champion women, non-binary, queer and trans community members to feel welcome to host or be present at our events,” Tra tells Mixcloud. “I personally feel that leading by example being a Khmer/Vietnamese woman owning a radio station in Vietnam is a message in itself of how we hold ourselves.”

This method has given the floor to the next generation and DJs like ANNSOLO, Maham and many more to find their creative footing through Hà Noi Community Radio. Maggie’s Pho The Girls collective doubles down, supporting women, queer, trans and non-binary people in the music industry. With these moves, Tra has played a massive role in bringing Vietnamese and wider Asian creative perspectives to the forefront. Thus, making the industry a better place all round. It fits with her approach to “lead with empathy and inspiration for the next generation of Vietnamese artists and creatives in Vietnam and the diaspora.”

Sister Midnight

Nestled in Lewisham, South East London, Sister Midnight is committed to its communities. It serves several functions: the radio station is part of the wider Sister Midnight creative network that also includes a music venue. 

Built for the purpose of uplifting local people through music, Sister Midnight has empowered generations of creatives to find their passions. Whether through being a radio host or taking part in their many activities – creative focus groups and workshops to name a few – you’re allowed to be free and as imaginative as possible. Meanwhile, the radio station itself has welcomed the likes of FAUZIA, Maxwell Owin, Hipsters Don’t Dance and its own long list of residents.

“At Sister Midnight FM, radio is about creating space, especially for voices that are often overlooked,” the crew tells Mixcloud. “We’re intentional about building a platform that uplifts under-represented people, nurtures emerging grassroots talent, and reflects the richness of SE London.”

A huge achievement came in 2025, when Sister Midnight programmed a day of live radio broadcasts as part of Little Simz’s weekend-long Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre. All the signs you need that Sister Midnight is going places, and taking its community with it. “We approach broadcasting as both a cultural archive and a living conversation,” they continue. We’re all for championing creativity, independence and connection through everything we do.”

KILLR FLOWR

Based in Washington, D.C., KILLR FLOWR brings pure unbridled energy to the airwaves. With a monthly slot every first Tuesday of the month at Eaton Radio, her ‘KILLR FLOWR HOUR’ show brings out the extraterrestrial in her. It has plenty of mind-bending stories and musical approaches that makes every show different from the last. Her presentation underpins this idea. Every so and often she pulls up to her DJ sets dressed in alien white or carrying a toy raygun!

“I approach radio as if I’m broadcasting from outer space, like I’m being watched by those two aliens from the end credits of the Simpsons (iykyk),” she explains. “There’s a lot of genre bending and sonic blending. I tell stories—sometimes it’s, ‘I went clubbing in Berlin and saw things I can never unsee.’ Other times it’s, ‘Black women contain multitudes.’ I play music like it’s the soundtrack to my life and the people around me.”

A product of her environment, KILLR FLOWR has been formed by the shapes, sounds and scenes around her. She has magic in her veins, creating universes one episode at a time while retaining her musical integrity. Whether it’s House, Disco or Rap for Black girls, she’s fearless in her expression. With Eaton, it’s a match made in heaven. “Eaton Radio and ‘KILLR FLOWR HOUR’ are portals—a spaceship, a ritual, a means of escape, however temporary,” she says. “Every show is an opportunity to practice, refine and experiment. I’m grateful to have the space to do that here.” 

Jenn Crothers

Did you ever think a pub and a radio station could co-exist? Well, Jenn Crothers made it possible. In addition to presenting on BBC Radio 1 and producing shows for 6 Music, the London-based broadcaster also co-founded Boogaloo Radio in 2018 from North London’s Boogaloo Pub. Its the first station in the world to ever operate from a public house.

“The Boogaloo Pub has brought me a lifetime of joy,” Jenn tells Mixcloud. “It has saved me from ever feeling lonely, and given me some wild nights out that are probably best left to hazy recollections over a few pints. Boogaloo Radio means we can open the pub doors to everyone around the world and offer them a seat at the bar. Running a radio station has taught me many lessons. The key one is that most people are open-hearted, kind and generous.”

Boogaloo Radio is self-described ‘radio for rebels.’ Organised chaos channeling musical bliss, feeding into the unique atmosphere that only pubs can generate. In addition to its regular roster, Boogaloo has welcomed street newspaper The Big Issue for a series of shows. This was a move aligned with their objective to uplift people from all walks of life. “Their sellers would rock up, playlists often written on the back of cigarette packets or scraps of paper,” Jenn continues. “Their shows would blow me away. The depth of their knowledge and their confidence in telling their own story was really humbling.”

Jenn continues to make her mark on BBC Radio, proving just as capable behind the microphone as she is behind the boards. “It still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve hosted shows on Radio 1,” she says. “I’m proud of my shows because I just sound like myself talking to a mate!”

Bushbby

Not only is she one of the best DJs around, but when it comes to radio, very few are messing with Bushbby. The UK-Colombian selector traces her sets with a duty to represent people like her. Latinx communities bonded together by history and culture. It shows in her sets; as a resident of Foundation FM, she has an arena to let her philosophies loose. A sweet spot where Latinx sensibilities and the sounds of UK club music gel and mingle.

“My approach to my radio show is very aligned with my work as a DJ and promoter working predominantly in the club,” Bushbby says. “I want it to serve as a platform for Latinx artists. A space to play music made by the diaspora, and a place for Latinx DJs to showcase their work.”

Any given show, you can expect to hear her spin everything from Cumbia and Bachata to Salsa and Reggaeton. Resultantly, she highlights the new and fresh coming out of these sounds and scenes. Meanwhile, she’s also played on stations such as Kiosk Radio, Worldwide FM and Pound and Yam. Bushbby’s building a reputation as a serious selector. All while taking radio as a constant education, ready to take new lessons with every show.

“My main focus the past few years has been on new releases, and I’m happy that I’ve been able to document Latin music in this way,” she says. “Radio is a whole different craft to playing out in the club. It’s a format that lends itself to a different kind of expression and I find that there is a lot of freedom in radio to play and grow, so it’s a practice that I’m constantly developing.”