Who are your three favorite female singers?

So many but I'll keep to the original intent...
Joni
Eva
Early Laura Nyro

Good to see someone else noting Sarah Jarosz; my recent fav.
Also, check out Julie Murphy of Eddie from Ohio

Tough to go with just 3.   
Ella Fitzgerald
Oleta Adams
Lani Hall
Honorable mention
Aretha, Janis, Denise Williams, Liz Wright

@dorkwad ,
Thanks for bringing up Rickie Lee Jones. I don't know how I could have forgot to mention her. Saw her live but can't remember if it was Rickie Lee Jones or Pirates, at the Pantages (I think). 

She was still doing heroin back then and mumbled between songs but when the music started, her voice simply drowned out the horn section. My oh my, the pipes on that girl.

All the best,
Nonoise

1+ for Jennifer Warnes, no quarrels w Linda R or Emmylou, but no love for Gillian Welch or Amber Rubarth? 

Elaine Elias
Linda R
Sheryl Crow