I don't hate Kelly Clarkson but if she really was the guiding light for young women in music we'd be in deep creative shit! Fortunately, there are thousands of amazing young and not so young women out there making music that doesn't sell millions and who have the kind of talent Kelly Clarkson couldn't even spell.
Beth Ditto/The Gossip anyone?!
Regina Spektor?
Juliana Hatfield?
Rachel Yamagata?
Kim Deal?
Kim Gordon?
Kathleen Hanna?
Martha Wainwright?
Polly Paulsuma?
Kat Bjelland?
Laura Viers?
Maura Davis?
...and an army of thousands more.
(yes yes yes I WAS a riot grrrl!)