Last Tuesday, March 8, was International Women’s Day. That means I get to list women who rock.

I mention women who rock fairly often in this column, so it deserves some explanation: It doesn’t necessarily have to be women who perform rock music. Being a rock musician certainly helps to rock for obvious reasons, but it doesn’t guarantee it. Some would argue that Avril Lavigne, for instance, performs rock music. But does she rock? No, no she does not.

The other factor is that the music industry, and to an extent society itself, discourages women from full-blown rocking out. The whole music industrial complex seems designed to funnel women into pop music from a young age, encouraging one vocal sound and style, while men can succeed as a singer despite being Bob Dylan. So penalizing a pop singer because of society’s biases isn’t fair to her.

With the criteria established, I present to you: Five women who rock.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — “I Hate Myself For Loving You”

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: Of course Joan Jett rocks. She rocks in every way someone can rock. I would argue (and do, often, sometimes without being asked) that she’s one of the most “rock star” rock stars of all time.

The distorted guitar, the sneering attitude, the anger and mild disgust in her voice; it’s so very rock and roll. And it helps that this is one of the best rock songs of all time, though not enough that NBC, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood couldn’t butcher it for Sunday Night Football.

It’s not a country song, football jerks. Joan Jett still performs. Fix your mistake and call the real performer.

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Blondie — “Call Me”

Let’s just get the obvious choices out of the way right up front, shall we? Debbie Harry is just behind Joan Jett on the grand list of women who rock so this entry should not surprise you.

The band is best known for “Heart of Glass,” which minimally rocks, but should be known for “Call Me,” which obviously rocks a lot. Just listen to it. Being one of the pioneers of new wave, there is an element of that, but it keeps the ’70s rock vibe.

Also, she was in “Videodrome,” and anyone who David Cronenberg wants to work with is definitely some form of hardcore.

Bikini Kill — “Rebel Girl”

Also among the ranks of women who rock are all the members riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill except Billy Karren, who is not a woman. But Kathi Wilcox, Tobi Vail and frontwoman Kathleen Hanna? Absolutely on the list.

I mentioned in the intro that women are not, generally, encouraged to rock. It’s actively or passively frowned upon by society for girls to rock. That is why the entire riot grrrl movement of the early ’90s was a good thing, since it very forcefully rocked anyway. The fact that it’s not seen as impactful as grunge, from the same region at the same time, is kind of a tragedy.

Actually, what in the world was happening in the Pacific Northwest in the early ’90s that it spawned multiple transformational musical movements? I’m sure there are several documentaries on this if I got curious enough to find an answer, but I generally think of the whole area as just basically rainy.

Oh, and reinforcing the rock credentials? This song was produced by none other than Joan Jett.

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The B-52’s — “Roam”

Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson rock, and if you disagree, you are wrong. That is an objective fact.

The B-52’s are a hard band to classify, which is part of their appeal. They have a very surf punk vibe; the whole funhouse mirror take on the fashion of the ’50s and early ’60s. Their music is vaguely pop but, again, a sort of funhouse mirror version. And behind most of that are Wilson and Pierson, the more conventional counterpoint to third singer Fred Schneider’s more… unconventional technique. That’s very rock and roll.

Sometimes rocking is fitting the rock star template extremely well like Joan Jett. Sometimes rocking is doing your own thing and making it work. And these two exemplify the latter.

Donna Summer — “Love to Love You Baby”

Finally, my controversial pick. Yes, this is a bit of a curveball, but hear me out.

Disco is not rock. There are metalheads from the ’70s and ’80s who would beat me up for even suggesting a disco singer can rock. I’m sorry, Donna Summer does.

First off, her first foray into music was a psychedelic rock band in the ’60s, so she did rock. Then she went to Germany and performed in “Hair” which, I mean, it’s theater kid rock, but her first single was “Aquarius” in German.

Even her disco work, though, has a sort of rock ethos. Take the long version of “Love to Love You Baby” for example. It’s got like five minutes of sex noises to a beat, which is possibly the most punk rock thing to include in a song. That’s awesome.

Follow editor Daniel J. Willis and tweet column ideas to him at Twitter.com/BayAreaData.