Cheyenne Frontier Days to Celebrate the Cowgirl

Earlier this year in July, Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) officials announced on the Cowboy Channel that the 2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo would be the Year of the Cowgirl. My reaction was great! I’m glad to see cowgirls getting some recognition, especially since cowgirls have been around as long as the rodeo itself. But CFD … Continue reading Cheyenne Frontier Days to Celebrate the Cowgirl

The New Year’s Tally and a New Season of Rodeo Cowgirls

A few years ago, a friend gave me a little book, Cowgirl Saddle Pals, by Gladiola Montana. The book consists of brief aphorisms, humorous snippets, and pearls of wisdom. One entry that particularly resonates with me is “if you’re too busy for your friends, you’re too busy.” Friends, I have neglected you and more in … Continue reading The New Year’s Tally and a New Season of Rodeo Cowgirls

Oklahoma Rodeo Women featured on Shepherd’s “Discover the Best Books”

Oklahoma Rodeo Women is featured on Shepherd's "Discover the Best Books!" It was an honor to receive a request to spotlight the book. I am equally humbled that a colleague on Women Also Know History referred my work to Shepherd. It's not easy to choose one's favorite books about cowgirls, but I enjoyed revisiting some … Continue reading Oklahoma Rodeo Women featured on Shepherd’s “Discover the Best Books”

“Here she comes wearin’ them britches!” Saddles, Riding Skirts, and Social Reform in the Turn-of-the-Century Rural West

Check out my new article, "Here she comes wearn' them britches!" Saddles, Riding Skirts, and Social Reform in the Turn-of-the-Century Rural West. In the Winter 2020 edition of Montana the Magazine of Western History

Checkin’ the Mail Pail—RFD Delivers More than Mail to Rural Areas

Long before the idea of Amazon drones delivering the world to our doorstep, people in rural areas found ways to obtain select items through delivery. Predating online shopping, FedEx, and the Pony Express, and before companies like Montgomery Ward, and Sears, Roebuck, rural folks ordered from the Haynes-Cooper catalog. Used often the catalog earned shortened … Continue reading Checkin’ the Mail Pail—RFD Delivers More than Mail to Rural Areas

Oklahoma Rodeo Women

UPDATED: The book signings listed below have been canceled for now, but with hopes to reschedule as soon as it is safe to do so. Please check back for more information and stay well! Well it's happening! Oklahoma Rodeo Women will be out on Monday, February 17th from The History Press and Arcadia Publishing! This book … Continue reading Oklahoma Rodeo Women

At Mam-maw’s Table

I am a member of a professional organization, the Rural Women’s Studies Association and this association has a conference centered on the theme of Kitchen Table Talk. When the theme was first introduced a flood of memories came to mind from my own grandmother’s kitchen table. I was fortunate enough to grow up in rural … Continue reading At Mam-maw’s Table