Jazz music provided a voice for the black community and became increasingly popular during Harlem renaissance. Despite the fact of an absence of proper female role models, especially for women in jazz, black females such as Mary Lou Williams and Bessie Smith held a particular place in the development of this unique form of music. They influenced music in different ways. By performing their talent, Mary Lou and Bessie Smith not only defied the patriarchal system and contended against the social norms, but they also reflected a nonpareil model of New Negro women who overcame sexism.