Formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2019, The Highwomen emerged as a powerful country music supergroup and a direct response to the genre's glaring gender imbalance. The ensemble, comprised of established solo artists Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, consciously modeled itself after the legendary male supergroup The Highwaymen, aiming to reclaim space and narrative for women in country music. The project was spearheaded by Shires, who, after analyzing radio playlists dominated by male voices, connected with Carlile through producer Dave Cobb to build a collective of formidable female talent.

The group's formation was a strategic assembling of distinct strengths. Shires, a respected fiddler and songwriter, and Carlile, a Grammy-winning powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, provided the initial vision. They then recruited Morris, a contemporary country star with massive commercial success, and Hemby, a gifted songwriter behind numerous hits for other artists like Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. This combination ensured the project carried both critical acclaim and mainstream appeal from its inception. Their name, a deliberate feminization of "The Highwaymen," signaled their mission to write a new chapter in country music history.

Their self-titled debut album, "The Highwomen," was produced by Cobb and released on September 6, 2019, by Elektra Records. The record was both a critical and commercial triumph, praised for its sharp songwriting, lush harmonies, and thematic depth. Lead single "Redesigning Women" playfully challenged stereotypes, while the poignant title track, "Highwomen," rewritten by Carlile from a Shires idea, expanded the classic Jimmy Webb song "Highwayman" to tell the stories of women throughout history. The album featured notable collaborations, including a guest verse from Yola on "Highwomen" and backing vocals from Sheryl Crow on "Heaven Is a Honky Tonk."

The Highwomen made a significant impact beyond album sales, most notably with their show-stopping performance at the 2019 CMA Awards, where they were joined on stage by legendary artists Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Terri Clark, and others in a potent display of female solidarity across generations. While the members have continued to pursue successful solo careers, The Highwomen remain an active and celebrated collective. They reconvened to perform at the 2021 Grammy Awards ceremony and released the standalone single "Weed & Wine" in 2023. The group stands as a landmark project in modern country music, celebrated for its artistic excellence and its enduring statement on representation and shared voice.