Popular Female Singers in the past 2 decades

Maybe I should add (trying not to be redundant):

Joni Mitchell
Byork
Annie Lennox
Cyndi Lauper
Madonna
Whitney Houston
Sinead O'Connor
Laurie Anderson
Diane Krall
Amy Winehouse

Can't say I listen to all of these ladies, but you wanted popular, no?

Special kudos ought to be sent out to Ronstadt who, more than anyone else on this list, has successfully taken on the challenges of the various genres. Whether it's country, torch, Mexican, classical, rock, or whatnot, Ronstadt has tried and nailed just about everything thrown at her. As good as many or most of the leading ladies listed here are, Ms. R. has done it in style and a way that no-one has come close to beaing.

BTW: One more name for the lists: Annie Haslam