In 1963, Lesley Gore was just 17 when she recorded the song. It quickly became a defining anthem of women’s empowerment. Interestingly, even though the song carried a strong message of independence, it was actually written by two men, John Madara and David White. In a 1991 interview, Gore explained that she was drawn to the song because of its strength. She said it wasn’t just about being a woman, but about being a person and everything that comes with that — self-determination, confidence, and