WFMT Celebrates Women in Folk Music

The Midnight Special honors female artists during National Women's Month

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:00am

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In celebration of National Women's Month, WFMT's long-running folk music program The Midnight Special is highlighting the accomplishments and contributions of women in folk music history. The show is hosted by Marilyn Rea Beyer, a veteran radio personality who has championed folk artists throughout her career.

Why it matters

The Midnight Special has been a staple of WFMT's programming for decades, introducing listeners to a wide range of folk, roots, and Americana music. By shining a spotlight on female artists during this special month, the show is helping to amplify underrepresented voices in the genre and celebrate the vital role women have played in shaping the folk music landscape.

The details

Throughout the final weekend of March, The Midnight Special will feature special segments and interviews highlighting the contributions of pioneering female folk musicians. The show will also showcase emerging artists and rising stars in the folk world, many of whom are women.

  • The Midnight Special airs every Saturday night on WFMT.
  • The special Women's Month programming will take place on the final weekend of March 2026.

The players

Marilyn Rea Beyer

The host of The Midnight Special on WFMT, Beyer is a veteran radio personality who has championed folk music throughout her career, including serving on the board of the legendary Club Passim in Boston and emceeing countless concerts.

WFMT

A classical and fine arts radio station in Chicago, WFMT has been broadcasting The Midnight Special, its long-running folk music program, for decades.

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What they’re saying

“Judicious risk-taking, nurturing artists, falling in love with new music, and engaging with the lively Folkstage audience make the job fun.”

— Marilyn Rea Beyer, Host, The Midnight Special

What’s next

Listeners can tune in to The Midnight Special on WFMT every Saturday night to hear the special Women's Month programming throughout the final weekend of March 2026.

The takeaway

The Midnight Special's celebration of women in folk music during National Women's Month underscores the vital contributions female artists have made to the genre and the continued importance of amplifying underrepresented voices in the music industry.