Eras of Western Women, Episode #4: 1960 - Present

What defines a Wyoming cowgirl? 

It’s the way she approaches the world with strength, confidence, and resilience. 

It’s in her passion for the Western way of life.

It’s a definition as vast and ever-evolving as the West itself—even into the newest generation of Wyoming cowgirls, out blazing their trails as we speak. 

The bold, barrier-breaking women you’ve met in our past three “Eras of Western Women” episodes aren’t always the typical “cowgirl” you’d expect… and yet, each represents her own brand of cowgirl authentically, unapologetically, unequivocally. 

Today, you’ll get to meet even more. 

In our fourth and final episode of the “Eras of Western Women” series, honoring the Year of the Cowgirl, Diane Shober (Executive Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism) and Mike Kassel (Associate Director and Curator of Collections at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum) share stories about:  

• The evolution of the Cheyenne Frontier Days W-Heels group, beginning with Margaret Boyce
• Wyoming native Ann King, founder of the Old West Museum 
• What makes ProRodeo Hall of Fame barrel racer Kristie Peterson’s induction to the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame so unique
• Country music singer Reba McEntire’s ties to Cheyenne’s Historic Plains Hotel 
• The reintroduction of women into rough stock events at the rodeo
• United States Senator Cynthia Lummis, our 1976 Miss Frontier and the first woman to serve on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Board of Directors
• Wyoming Supreme Court Justice Lynne Boomgaarden, the first woman to serve on the Cheyenne Frontier Days General Committee
• Lisa Murphy, the first woman to be elected chairman of the Cheyenne Frontier Days board

You can watch this podcast, too!

Stop by https://cfdrodeo.com/podcast/ to see the conversation in action.