I don't know if there were that many bonified female folk superstars before her time but she was definitely a vital part of the 60s protest music scene. I don't think Peter, Paul and Mary get much love in the acclaimed department but their guy/girl melodies inspired legions of bands especially the Mamas and the Papas and the Pixies who specifically mentioned them in an advertisment in search of a bassist which is what attracted Kim Deal to respond to that ad. So she was certainly an important figure that lead to so many female artists making it in rock and folk. She was one of a kind.