Sister Az, I came to the blues via Jazz: Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, so I'm interested in the women blues singers, particularly the early ones. If you can, get hold of a double CD set called the Great Women Blues Singers, the Gold collection (Retro R2CD 40-75 is the UK version)which is a cheap label and is a good introduction to a wide range from Bessie Smnith to Nina Simone.
Happy hunting!

RtS
(Can a blue man sing the whites?)