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.
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.
While accepting her first Female Artist of the Year trophy, Lambert promised to support her fellow female artists. Since then, she's made good on that vow.