The Woman of the Year is the most prestigious of the eight Taste of Country Fan Choice Awards categories, and this year's nominees include legends, current superstars and country newcomers.

Vote below to decide who will win in 2017, and don't assume that just because an artist is well-known she'll take home the (virtual) hardware. Last year Brandy Clark topped women like Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert! The most deserving country woman with the most passionate fanbase will be named winner when this poll closes at 11:59PM ET on Dec. 7.

These seven nominees were chosen from artists who released new music and/or toured heavily in 2017. Find headliners like Lambert, Maren Morris and Faith Hill and women with creative, left-of-center country projects like Lindsay Ell and Reba McEntire. A few spoke out in 2017 — why is it always the women who are unafraid to speak up on social issues?

Learn more about their this year in the gallery above, then vote. And share! Artists who get the most love on social media will ultimately win.

More From Taste of Country