Final answer:
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Jennifer Higdon are two women from different backgrounds who have won the Pulitzer Prize in music, both contributing significantly to contemporary classical music.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two women with different backgrounds who have won the Pulitzer Prize in music are Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Jennifer Higdon. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich was the first female composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1983 with her Symphony No. 1. On the other hand, Jennifer Higdon won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2010 for her Violin Concerto. Both of these composers have significantly contributed to contemporary classical music and continue to inspire future generations.