Who are your three favorite female singers?

Tyra,
Thanks for the recommendation!  And I definitely agree with your description of Brazilian music.  
Ate’ ja’

millercarbon, thanks for the mention of "The Well", that is one I do not have, but will get.  

@tyray Yes, Elizete Cardoso sang beautifully and I have many albums from the 50's/60's Brazilian song and jazz.   
An earlier Brazilian favorite of mine is Elsie Houston. who had a very wide vocal range (she trained with 2 tremendous sopranos) and was THE Brazilian folklore musician of her generation. 
Here are some samples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2gX-wUrxm8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFaX7_F189Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sip4UZ9Z5zw&list=OLAK5uy_nSOuzYfFqYvpwNzR-_SV01awWcBsoGNS8&i...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Za79PKoi3g  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9crRZzwWoDU&list=OLAK5uy_nSOuzYfFqYvpwNzR-_SV01awWcBsoGNS8&i...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Za79PKoi3g&list=OLAK5uy_nSOuzYfFqYvpwNzR-_SV01awWcBsoGNS8&i...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0ziC9GDY0c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEKQgXE1lqE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxUeDN-aTEQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LmDbDA2Xms collection with piano
The complete Elsie Houston is available on Marston Records
Elsie Houston  Queen of Brazilian Song  51011-2 (1 CD)  | $ 18.00

 

Emmy Lou Harris.
Shannon McNally.
Sara k.

Emmy Lou Harris had some great experiences at Hancher in Iowa City and seemed to have affection for the town/place.