Mike of Northumbria makes valid points.Back in the 60's women didn't play guitars, it was still largely a male instrument. In England Joan Baez became a role model, then Julie Felix and women began to get up and sing and play.I remember Malvina Reynolds, Shirley Collins, Jeannie Robertson, Ma Campbell, the young Watersons,Dorris Henderson, Nadia Cattouse,Heather of the Young Tradition;(and others) all guesting at the Jug o Punch in the 60's. I ran a club for a few years in Birmingham in the 70's and we had a couple of floor singers who were female.One was in a duo "Hugh and Ros"...he's now an actor, Hugh Fraser, Poirot's sidekick Hastings!
In my 40 years of clubs I've only seen women encouraged and advancing until now I think there's probably as many female pros, semi-pros and pleasure singers as men. In audience terms it's always seemed 50/50 to me. Back then it was a darned good reason to go to a folk club.That's where you met the members of your tribe!!