Another Subjective list by someone who has forgotten a lot of good female singers.
How about:
(A) Peggy Lee
(B) Billie Holliday
(C) Jo Stafford
(D) Connie Haines
(E) Doris Day
(F) Keeley Smith
(G) Sarah Vaughn
(H) Dinah Washington
(I) Ella Fitzgerald
The list could go on and on. Lot of great talent out there.
Wow, it took 89 posts before anyone mentioned Peggy Lee. My fave by her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEQqqfeMhv8