As Janet Jackson pointed out in her induction speech at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in March, the nod is an honor that not many women have historically received. “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, please, [in] 2020: induct more women,” she said. Her recognition by the organization—an honor bestowed upon more than 200 individuals and musical groups, fewer than 20 of which are solo female performers—is a long time coming for a musician who has created generation-defining art and served as a voice for marginalized groups for more than 30 years.

Jackson,...