THE GREAT AMERICAN COWGIRL

MY TRIBUTE TO

THE GREAT AMERICAN COWGIRL

Taylor Belles

McEwen, Tennessee

A Great Example of The Great American Cowgirl

So who is the Great American Cowgirl? 

Most who know her will tell you that she takes care of her children with all the love that God intended. She is tender, loving, and has a faith that most wish they could have half of on any given day. She is caring, strong, loyal, honest, and steadfast in a world that lacks a lot of those attributes. She is strength, flexibility, and heart. Mostly heart, God bless her!

    She can joke and have fun being light-hearted, then go out and turn and burn barrels with the wind in her hair and stretch her horse out as if she were betting the ranch on her time. She can dally a rope as good as anyone, and maybe better than most. She'll hold down a calf to be branded, vaccinate, tag, cut, and sort the bunch if needed.

    She can outwork a lot of cowboys, and not speak a word of how she did it afterward. She's no brag and all "get it done." She can gather all day, then cook dinner for the entire crew before going off to hold the hand of a sick family member or friend.

Yes, she is the American Cowgirl! 

She is hard-working, and filled with a "Can Do Spirit." She is America's Sweetheart. She is the American Cowgirl!

    The first known reference to the term "Cowgirl" comes out of 1884, and while the history of women in the West, the women who worked on cattle ranches, in particular, is not as well documented as that of men, she has a rich heritage. And in recent years, organizations such as the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth Texas have made significant efforts to gather and document the contributions of women in the West.

    There are few records mentioning girls or women working to drive cattle up the cattle trails of the Old West. But don't let that make you think that women did not do a great deal of ranch work. Fact is, because in many cases during the time -- especially when the men went off to war or on long cattle drives -- actually all of the ranch work including running the ranch and tending to the seed stock fell to the women to do. 

    Friends, necessity dictated that wives and daughters had to do what was needed to be done simply because there was no one else to do it. Because of that reason in itself, there is little doubt that women, particularly the wives and daughters of men who owned small ranches - and in honesty could not afford to hire large numbers of outside laborers - did in fact work side by side with men, or do it all when they were away. And by the way, that is the legacy of American women in general.

    Whether it was traveling side by side coming West by wagon train, working together on a ranch or farm, or doing the work that needed to be done in the factories during World War II when the majority of men in our country were off in the military - women did it all.

    Sure the movies talk about the lone cowboy trying to make his spread a success, but that's not reality. Fact is, especially on the Great Plains, very few single men attempted to operate a farm or ranch alone without a wife.

    Those who wanted to start a farm or a ranch truly understood the need for a hard-working wife and numerous children. Besides needing help to handle the many chores, including child-rearing, feeding and clothing the family, managing the housework, and feeding the hired hands, families meant stability. And in the West, after fighting the elements and what have you - family stability was as important as water and air. Family means life, and women provide life to the world.

    During the early years of settlement, farm women played an integral role in assuring family survival by working outdoors. Even as far back as the California Gold Rush, there are stories of the wives of miners going to meet other wives socially just as they do today. Those women were tough. They needed to ride horses, control a team on a wagon or buckboard, and be able to perform all sorts of tasks right alongside the men.

    It's true that after a generation or so, a lot of women increasingly left the fieldwork to the men, subsequently these rugged individuals redefined their roles within the family. It's true that new conveniences such as sewing and washing machines encouraged women to turn to domestic roles.

    The scientific housekeeping movement, promoted across the land by the media and government extension agents, as well as county fairs which featured achievements in home cookery and canning, advice columns for women in the farm papers, and home economics courses in the schools all contributed to this trend. But even with the onslaught of modern conveniences, women running ranches and family farms were still taking place. Women still worked beside their husbands.

    You see, although folks back East had an image of the Western farm family on the prairies as having lives that emphasized the isolation of the lonely farmer, in reality, rural folks created a rich social life for themselves. 

    They often sponsored activities that combined work, food, and entertainment such as barn raisings, corn huskings, quilting bees, Grange meetings, church activities, and school functions. The womenfolk organized shared meals and potluck events, as well as extended visits between families.

    But there were also gatherings and roundups, brandings and sortings, all still needed to be done. And just as the American Cowboy learned his skills from the Spanish Californio and the Vaquero, so did their wives and daughters. The American Cowgirl was right there learning and lending their skill and knowledge and experience to get things done.

    Fact is, life really wasn't a whole lot different than in rural communities in America today. 

It was during the time of Wild West Shows that "Cowgirls" came into their own professionally. Those women were skilled performers, demonstrating riding, expert marksmanship, and trick roping that entertained audiences around the world. Women such as Annie Oakley became household names. But honestly, there were many who helped to tame the West whose stories are truly inspiring.

    By 1900, skirts split for riding astride became popular, and it allowed women to compete with the men without scandalizing Victorian Era audiences by wearing men's clothing or, worse yet, bloomers. 

    In the movies that followed from the early 20th century on, cowgirls expanded their roles in popular culture, and movie designers developed attractive clothing suitable for riding Western saddles.

    Today's working cowgirls generally use clothing, tools, and equipment indistinguishable from that of working cowboys. Other than in color and design, usually preferring a flashier look in competition, modern working cowgirls wear jeans, close-fitting shirts, boots, spurs, hats, and when needed, chaps and gloves.

    When working on the ranch, just as it was years ago when first settling the West, women working as cowgirls performed the same chores as cowboys and dressed to suit the situation. Independent and ruggedly individualistic, American Cowgirls epitomize the resilient spirit of America.

    I've heard it said that it ain't the clothes that make a Cowgirl, but that it's the attitude and heart. And yes, I believe that that is more true than not. The American Cowgirl is an attitude, a way of looking at life. And yes, she takes on the world and makes it her own. Without her, America would be lost.

    The American Cowgirl helped shape the West, and in the process changed the World. I hope you enjoy these great pictures of American Cowgirls from all over our great country!

These Are Great American Cowgirls!

Judy Myllymaki

Arlee, Montana

Tammy Ward

Fallon, Montana

Margaret Dorrance

Salinas, California

Reina Youngberg
Lovelock, Nevada

Rozlynn Maria Scott
Jackson, Wyoming

Lindsay & Sammie Gentsch

Fort Myers, Florida

Mari Laursen

Stevensville, Montana

Audra Peterson Austin

Arthur, Nebraska

Jesyka Renee

Dallas, Texas

Lucy Lawson 

Susanville, California 

Andrea Cline 

Springtown, Texas 

Jessica Loewer 

Cave Springs, Arkansas 

Jessica Bates 

Weatherford, Texas 

Photo by Christy Burleson

Teresa Robertson Sanders 

Alliance, Nebraska 

Sarah Berry 

Chandler, Texas 

My Wife 

Deanna Correa

Glencoe, California 

Emily Cary 

Lakeside, California 

Traci Price Gentsch 

Fort Myers, Florida 

Lynnsey Roberts

Pierce, Colorado

Photograph by Steve Crispin

Bobbi Wendt

Ogallala, Nebraska

Gussie Keetch & Kricket Hudson

Salem, Utah

Dina Smith Claudina Flores

Creede, Colorado

Melisa Ausherman

Canyon, Texas

Kay Bumguardner

Meeker, Colorado

Photograph by Sue Rodda

Mother & Daughter

Jean Lake & Pam Baggett

Conroe, Texas

These gals embody the spirit of American Cowgirls. And yes, I tip my hat to them.

Cindy Campbell

Midwest, Wyoming

Jodi Sedach

Valley View, Texas

Faith Holyan

Coyote Canyon, New Mexico

Alyssa Dixon

Nashville, Tennessee

Sara Baker

Kettering, Ohio

Jeanette Breckenridge Irby 

Gainesville, Texas

Jo Fowler

Bourke, New South Wales, Australia 

Tiffany Schwenke

Gillette, Wyoming

Calye Hicks

Amarillo, Texas

Katie Lee

Susanville, California

Brittany Luther

Susanville, California

Rielly May

Jackson, California

Ally Hurt

Whitewright, Texas

Jonni Smith

Wilder, Idaho

Photo by Pamela Beattie

Jessie Hebdon

Lodge Grass, Montana

Christine Cyr Seals

Berea, Kentucky

Sara Lucas & Shayla Sullivan

Browns Valley, California

Skye Wright

Chandler, Texas

Shelby Henery

Pocatello, Idaho

Bailey Elizabeth

Iron City, Tennessee

Mother & Daughter

Jordan Hand & Lila on Seven

Yes, this is where Cowgirls come from, on a horse with Mom or Dad is where it starts.

Tammy Pate

Ryegate, Montana

Joscelynn Waters

Blackfoot, Idaho

Yes, she is the American Cowgirl!

Kindall Cooper

Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days Queen 2013

Christina Gomes

Enterprise, Oregon

Brandi Shannon

Ten Mile, Missouri

Hayle Gibson

Redcrest, California

Tammy Pate

Ryegate, Montana

Brandie Franco Flores

San Antonio, Texas

Reese Mertes

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Zoe Furr

American Fork, Utah

Audra Peterson Austin

Arthur, Nebraska 

Cress Nelson

Manhattan, Montana

Ashlie York

Nashville, Tennessee


Lorie Shrull Allard

Oak Creek, Colorado

Shelley Murphy

Helena, Montana

Leslie Ann Davenport

Williams, California

Emily Whiteford

Laurens, South Carolina

Kendra Torrey

Walla Walla, Washington

Brittany Luther

Susanville, California

Rhonda Hanson Kursave, 

Katie Westergaard, 

Edy Hill & Terri Kessler

Cody, Nebraska 

Jacqualin Key Waters

Blackfoot, Idaho

Shelby Henery

Pocatello, Idaho

Rose McCorquodale & Dad

Yes, she is the American Cowgirl!

Jordan Gutsch

Santa Rosa, California

Photograph by Kymberlee Nelson

Haley Keller, Jessica Loewer, 
& Ellie Westberg

Gillette, Wyoming

Courtney Cline

Nipomo, California

Photo by Christy Burleson

Cassidy Vick Hice

My Sister-in-law

Kimberly Quirarte-Correa

Susanville, California

Lyndsey Lamell 

Roswell, New Mexico 

Amy Laymon 

Augusta, Kansas

Jolene Murray

Faith Holyan

Coyote Canyon, New Mexico 

Jordan Gutsch 

Casey Lowe 

LaGrande, Oregon

Audra Peterson Austin 

Arthur, Nebraska 

Vail Carter

Fresno, California

Casey Rutter & Tuesday 

Orem, Utah 

Phoenix AnneLyn Gomes 

Enterprise, Oregon 

Lola Monge 

Lyndsey Lamell

Ignacio, Colorado

Jonni Smith

Wilder, Idaho 

Paula Saletnik 

aka Pistol Packin' Paula 

Sami Jo Sweeney 

Brighton, Colorado 

Megan Gray & Dazzle 

Linden, California

Andrea Cline 

Springtown, Texas 

Lynnsey Roberts

Pierce, Colorado

Photograph by Kevan Sheppard

Calye Hicks

Amarillo, Texas

Trinette Requena

Susanville, California

Allie Berryesse & little Emma Harris 

Brooke Bailey

Sulphur Springs, Texas

Jessica Loewer 

Mother & Daughter
Christina Gomes & Phoenix AnneLyn

Enterprise, Oregon

Tammy Hoeck 

Shauna Garrett 

Clovis, California 

Gale Iusti Whiteford 

Laurens, South Carolina 

Lacy Jean & Rocky 

Temple, Texas

Melissa Quicker 

Becky Worth & Cress Nelson 

Manhattan, Montana

Andi Deuel 

Twin Falls, Idaho 

Brooke Bailey 

Shelby Henery 

Tammy Ward 

Fallon, Montana

Photograph by Hannah Hogner 

Amazing Grace Photos 

Katie Lee 

Teresa Robertson Sanders 

Alliance, Nebraska 

Jamie Pearson 

Oroville, California 

Brittany Luther 

Susan E Gay 

Emily Cary

Hope Sickler

Denver, Colorado

Tiffany Schwenke & Smokey

Reina Youngberg

Zoe Furr 

American Fork, Utah

Donna Vann & Chelsey Bushnell 

Red Bluff, California 

Jatzibe Camarillo 

Ventura, California 

Brianna Brooks 

Lazbuddie, Texas

Haley Keller, Jessica Loewer 
& Olivia Fremlin

Kelly Kaminski 

Bellville, Texas 

Sara Baker 

Jillian Markelle Woodward 

Samantha Dallas 

Vail Carter

Fresno, California

Allie Berryessa 

San Luis Obispo, California 

Rielly May 

Jackson, California 

Kendra Torrey 

We Can Thank God 
That Cowgirls Come In All Sizes! 

Audra Peterson Austin 

Arthur, Nebraska 

Dawn Gray 

Cheyenne Rey & Sis 

Gianna Powell 

Inyokern, California 

Jennifer Martin 

Peculiar, Missouri 

Christina Gomes 

Shawna Deuel Correa 

Twin Falls, Idaho

Neali Jean Novak & Andrea Cline 

Springtown, Texas 



Zoe Furr 

Sara Baker 

Kettering, Ohio 

Jessie Hebdon 

Hardin, Montana

Hayle Gibson

Redcrest, California

Cierra Hubbard

Robyn Rae Johnston

Robyn Rae Johnston

Kelly Gilbert Haeckel

Norco, California

Lindsay Gentsch 

Calye Hicks 

Amarillo, Texas 

Jonni Smith 

Photograph by Pamela Beattie 

Brandie Franco Flores 

San Antonio, Texas 

Judy Myllymaki, Keaton 
& KayTee Schaffer 

Blayne Weaver 

Dos Palos, California 



Brandi Shannon 

Ten Mile, Missouri 

Raylene Beeson 

Ashley Cockrell, Jymme Martin,
Mary Kaaen-Maita & Allie Berryessa

Brooke Bailey 

Kymberlee Nelson 

Laytonville, California 

Tammy Ward 

Fallon, Montana

Photograph by Hannah Hogner 

Amazing Grace Photos 

Missy 

Denise Casey and 3 Amigos 

Cindy Campbell 

Kendra Torrey, Kindall Cooper 
& Beka Adams 

Advisors Cindy Humbert-Granger 

& Patti Litchfield 

Walla Walla Washington 2013 Fair Royalty 

Sara Baker & Rain 

Emily Cary 

Roz Beaton 

Lynnsey Roberts 

Amy Laymon 

Augusta, Kansas

Deb Puckett & Beth Anne Doblado

Sara Christian 

2010 CPRA Finals 

Angleton, Texas 

Macy Fuller 

Leslie Ann Davenport 

Haley Keller, Olivia Fremlin 
& Jessica Loewer

Katie Lee & Trinette Requena 

Cassidy Barnes

Jamie Christensen 

Melissa Quicker 

Christina Gomes 

Savannah Right 

Carmen Sitha Bergstrom 

Vail, Arizona 

Haley Keller 

Katie Lee 

Miss Rodeo Katie Patterson 

& Junior Miss Micayla Gray 

Jessica Bate

Christine Cyr Seals

Sara Baker

Kettering, Ohio

Chenae Shiner 

Kristy Monsche 

Cindy Campbell 

Kylie & Vail Carter

Fresno, California

Melissa Quicker 

Cheyenne Sherwood 

Haily Strahan, Kelly Gilbert Haeckel,
Tracy Bell & McKenzie Cooper

Skye Wright

Emily Cary

Leisha Welborn Griffith

Denton, North Carolina

Lucy Thompson

Trish Head

Loganville, Georgia 

Cheyenne Glade Wilson & Doc

Oglala, South Dakota

Alyssa Dixon

Nashville, Tennessee

Christine Cyr Seals

Berea, Kentucky

Faith Holyan

Reese Mertes

Cheyenne, Wyoming 

Jonni Smith

Wilder, Idaho

Photo by Pamela Beattie

Faith Holyan

Coyote Canyon, New Mexico

Statue Of The American Cowgirl 

located at 

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and documents the lives of women who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the pioneer spirit of the American West. It celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West. And yes, it fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire.

It is well worth a visit!

Skye Wright