Joan Rivers helped break the ground for women in comedy . She got her start by ` ` to women who were n't able to talk about things '' During her stand - up , she spoke frankly about being a woman . The following list of female comedians have thanked her for opening up .
Joan Rivers helped break the mold for women in comedy . She got her start speaking `` to women who were n't able to talk about things '' During her stand-up , she spoke frankly about being a woman . The following generations of women comedians have thanked her for opening doors .