Compiled by Jonita Sommers and Tawnya Miller

Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattlewomen History

Compiled By Jonita Sommers and Tawnya Miller

The first Cowbelle meeting in the United States was held on October 17, 1939 in Mattie Cowan’s home on the Four Bar Ranch owned by Ralph and Mattie Cowan in Cochise County, Arizona. Sixteen women met and Mrs. Ben Snure suggested they call themselves “Cow Belles.” They planned to meet for only social events. It developed into an organization to help promote the beef industry and friendship among cattle people.

The Wyoming Cow-Belles organized in Lander, Wyoming during the annual Wyoming Stock Growers Association’s meeting on June 6, 1940, which was a group of ladies who wanted to do more for the livestock industry. Mrs. George (Charlotte) Snodgrass, assisted by Mrs. George A. Cross “called a meeting of the wives and women of the Stock Growers Association…for the purpose of forming an organization of the women. Mrs. Snodgrass contacted the president of the Wyoming Stock Growers about starting the organization and he was very enthusiastic by offering his cooperation and support. The objective of the organization was to help develop the social well-being of the women in our organization and in our State and to be of assistance to the Wyoming Stock Growers Association in its efforts to promote the livestock industry.” They asked the Arizona group if they could use the name “Cow-Belles.” Mrs. Norman (Miriam) Barlow, Wyoming Cow-Belle president in 1946-47, told the 1947 convention of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, “…We have the distinction of being the first organization of our kind anywhere. While we did take the name of a group of ranch women in Arizona, they only were county-wide in scope. We organized in 1940, whereas the Arizona Cowbelles did not achieve state-wide status until this year. Colorado’s Cow-Belles are next to us in age.” Much of the information about the formation of the Wyoming Cowbelles and American National Cowbelles was taken from Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen. The founding members for the Wyoming Cowbelles from Green River Valley were as follow:

Mrs. Earl Wright (should be Mrs. Eva Wright)—Farson

Mrs. Boyd (Mary) Kelly—Daniel

Ruthie Kelly (Mary’s sister-in-law)—Daniel

Mrs. Norman (Miriam) Barlow—Cora

Mrs. George (Ruth) Franz—Daniel

Mrs. Ned (Agnes) George—Daniel

Mrs. Robert (Virginia) O’Neil—Big Piney

Mrs. Thomas (Mary Ellen) O’Neil—Big Piney

The following women of the Green River Valley were officers of the Wyoming Cowbelles:

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—Treasurer 1941-42

Mrs. T.D. O’Neil (Mary Ellen) of Big Piney—Historian 1942-43

Mrs. T.D. O’Neil (Mary Ellen) of Big Piney—President 1943-44

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—Treasurer 1943-44

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—Vice-President 1945-46

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam) of Cora—President 1946-47

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—Vice-President 1951-52

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia) of Big Piney—President 1952-53

Mrs. John Kvenild (Helen) of Big Piney—Auditor 1954-55

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1955-56

Mrs. Joe Budd (Ruth) of Big Piney—Parliamentarian 1958-59

Mrs. Don Jewett (Ethel) of Big Piney—Vice-President 1959-60

Mrs. Don Jewett (Ethel) of Big Piney—President 1960-61

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel) of Pinedale—Secretary/Treasurer 1960-61

Mrs. John Kvenild (Peggy) of Big Piney—Historian 1964-65

Mrs. Joe Budd (Ruth) of Big Piney—Historian 1965-66

Mrs. Mike Marincic (Dorothy) of Big Piney—Auditor 1970-71

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Historian 1971-72

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Historian 1975-76

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Secretary 1978-79

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—Treasurer 1980-81

Mrs. Vernon Mrak (Marian) of Boulder—2nd Vice-President 1981-82

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1982-83

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Secretary 1983-84

Mrs. James Thomas (Margie) of Pinedale—Parliamentarian 1987-88

Mrs. Wayne Jensen (Kay) of Boulder—Historian 1992-93

Mrs. William Barney (Ann) of Big Piney—Parliamentarian 2000-01

At the annual American National Cattlemen’s Association convention in San Francisco during January 1951, an organizing chair was elected to form the American National Cowbelles. The American National Cowbelles were incorporated on January 7, 1952 at the American National Cattlemen’s Association’s convention in Fort Worth, Texas. The following women from Green River Valley were charter members of the American National Cowbelles:

Mrs. Norman Barlow (Miriam)—Cora

Mrs. Donald Jewett (Ethel)—Big Piney

Mrs. GordonJewett(Lora)—Big Piney

Mrs. Carl Jorgensen (Rachel)—Pinedale

Mrs. Philip Marincic (Elva)—Big Piney

Mrs. Robert O’Neil (Virginia)—Big Piney

Miss Sandra O’Neil (daughter of Virginia)—Big Piney

Miriam Barlow stated the following about Sandra O’Neil in the Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen: “Many of us are very old or gone by now except Sandra O’Neil Wohrman. She was so young that she slept through it in her basket. Virginia wrote her name and paid her dues.”

Below was Miriam Barlow’s remembrance of the starting of the American National Cowbelles, which was in the Wyoming’s Cow-Belles 1940-1986 compiled by Dixie Mathisen:

The American National Stockgrowers had their 75th anniversary in 1947. The meeting was held in Phoenix early in January. The legislature was late that year so Norman and I decided we could make both meetings if we drove all night between Phoenix and Cheyenne.

I thought that their anniversary would be a fine time for our State Cow-Belles to start a national CowBelles. I had the approval of both the local and national officers. I think maybe Sam Hyatt was National President that year.

As Wyoming President, I presented the idea at a ladies luncheon. The vote was close, but it did not pass. Anyhow, it shook up the Arizona women. They became state-wide in short order, and they were ready for us the next time the national meeting was held in Phoenix. They made the move to become national. They even had all the officers picked for the new organization. The meeting was in a huge room and all the seats were full.

When they submitted the proposed list, someone was supposed to close the nominations and put them in by acclamation.

I committed the unpardonable sin of nominating Charlotte Snodgrass from the floor for president. The vote was taken without proof of membership and by voice only. So, of course, the nays had it. Much to my surprise, there was a large vote for Charlotte, just not large enough, at least not in Arizona.

Margie Thomas was also chairwoman of the Consumer Relations Committee along with being on the Legislative Committee representing five western states and the National Beef Cookoff Committee for the American National Cowbelles.

On January 28, 1986, the organization changed its name to the American National Cattle Women. In 1992, the Wyoming Cow-Belles changed their name to the Wyoming Cattle Women. The Green River Valley Cowbelles changed their name to the Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattle Women in 2000.

To see if it would be possible to form a local Cowbelle organization in the Green River Valley, a preorganizational meeting was held at Marge Thomas’s home. Helen O’Neil, Ruth Budd, Miriam Barlow, Rachel Jorgensen and Marge Thomas attended the meeting. In March 1969, seventy women gathered for lunch at the Bowl-More in Big Piney to show their interest in forming a Cow Belle Auxiliary to the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association. Tharon Greenwood conducted the meeting. Miriam Barlow was the spokesperson for the officers’ nomination committee which consisted of the four Wyoming Cowbelle officers from the Green River Valley. These charter members were Miriam Barlow, Ethel Jewett, Ruth Budd and Rachel Jorgensen. The newly formed group called themselves the Green River Valley Cowbelles with Marge Thomas, president, Dorothy Marincic, vice-president, and Dele Ball, secretary-treasurer. Wyoming Cow-Belle’s president, Mrs. Holmes, inducted the new officers. The group’s objective was to help develop the social well-being of the women in the organization and assist the Green River Valley Cattlemen in their endeavor to promote the livestock Industry. There were thirty-three members when the Green River Valley Cowbelles started. Fifty-seven people bought lunch at $2 per plate. The dues were $1 and went to $2. Through the year, the number of members grew to 73. In 2009, the dues were $5, and there were 53 members. Today there are eleven of the original thirty-three members and twenty-three of the other founding members still with us.

The founding members are listed below:

Dele Ball

Miriam Barlow

Barbara Budd

Ruth Budd

Carol Copeland

Toni Dapra

Rusty Endecott

Mary Fear

Tharon Greenwood

Dorothy Hay

Ethel Jewett

Mary Caroline Jorgensen

Rachel Jorgensen

Karmen Marincic

Emma Meeks

Joan Mickelson

Kristy Mickelson

Mae Mickelson

Margaret Mickelson

Mildred Miller

Muffin Miller

Pam Miller

Jeane Murdock

Ann Olson

Ena Olson

Helen O’Neil

Pat Osborn

Ellanora Pfisterer

Mickey Thoman

Margie Thomas

Bette Thompson

Mrs. Twilliger

Dorothy Wilder

By the end of 1969, the member list had grown from the original 33 to 81 members as listed below:

Nancy Anspach

Helen Bray

Kathryn Briggs

Marion Boroff

DeAnne Bradley

Bonnie Budd

Margaret Bousman

Barbara Brewer

Margie Buyer

Pat Campbell

Nancy J. Carter

Clarabelle Clark

Mayme Devine

Eileen Dockham

Joyce Dockham

Helen Evans

Mardell Fear

Ann Gurney

Ona Gurney

Bette Hagenstein

Lillian Harrower

Hazel James

Janice Kanski

Lois Koch

Helena Linn

Dorothy Marincic

Stella McKinstry

Betty Lou McLoughlin

Lois McNeel

Dona Rae Morss

Marian Mrak

Barbara Pape

Mary Pfisterer

Sandra Pfisterer

Wilma Shriver

Verla Sommers

Shirley Tanner

Dorothy Taylor

Violet Travelute

Lynda Vickrey

Mrs. Wagstaff

Ruth Wilson

Mary Helen Welborn

Joined by 1970-71

Teddy Carney

Mrs. A.G. Miller

Mary Pape

Rose Pape

Ellie Richardson

Lois Steele

The Cowbelles wanted to get a plate with all the brands of the ranches in the Green River Valley, so they could make napkins and placemats. Rachel Jorgensen talked to Mr. Terwilliger, president of the First National Bank of Pinedale, and he stated the bank would pay for the first order. Toni Dapra designed the first napkins. In later years, Murlie Morss drew the scenes used on the napkins. They donated brand napkins for three large county barbeques, Bondurant, Chuckwagon Days and Rendezvous. The group is still selling napkins and they have just made a new plate with updated brands.

A history notebook was started on the livestock industry in the Green River Valley. The Cowbelles began collection of recipes for a cookbook. A style review by the local merchants was held for the annual luncheon. They distributed flyers from the Wyoming Beef Council concerning the price of beef for better understanding by the consumer. They concluded the year with an achievement luncheon which has become an annual event. At this event for the favor given to each member attending the meeting, Marge Thomas, Wilma Shriver and Dona Rae Morss asked Murlie Morss to make stirrups with the individual’s brand on it, so they could be used as napkin holders.

In 1970, the Green River Valley Cowbelles started the Ranch Woman of the Year making them the first chapter of Cowbelles to honor a ranchwoman of the year. Mildred M. Miller was Chosen as the Green River Valley Cowbelle’s first Ranchwoman of the Year, making her the first from the Green River Valley and from the state of Wyoming. Father (Parent) of the Year was also started in 1970 and was continued through 2003. These Ranch Women of the Year were recognized for their special abilities as a wife, mother, and ranch worker as well as their participation in any community affairs, all of which made them outstanding. To show off the Ranch Woman of the Year and Friend of Agriculture, the Cowbelles designedand entered a float in the Fourth of July Parade in Big Piney. It was also a good promotional tool. This was started with the first Ranch Woman of the Year. Mildred Miller and Dele Ball, the first two ranch women of the year, rode horses in the parade. Lynda Vickrey, DeAnne Bradley and Mary Fear built a float for Lois McNinch, and Stella McKinstry rode with her in the parade. The Ranch Women of the Year are listed below:

1970Mildred Miller

1971Dele Ball

1972Inez Finnegan

1973Mary H. Pape

1974Lois McNinch

1975Elva Marincic

1976Laura Thompson

1977Jeane Murdock

1978Margaret Mickelson

1979Mae Mickelson

1980Ellen Richie

1981Daisy Dean Fransico

1982Lydia Steele

1983Mardell Fear

1984Ruth Budd

1985Helen Bray

1986Mabel James

1987Mary Fear

1988Verla Sommers

1989Dona Rae Morss

1990Tharon Greenwood

1991Bette Thompson

1992Marion Boroff

1993Bette Hagenstein

1994Connie McKinsey

1995Anne Olson

1996Barbara J. Pape

1997Barbara Budd

1998Kathryn Briggs

1999Wilma Shriver

2000Martha Saunders

2001Lynda Vickrey

2002Beth Bray

2003Becky Downs

2004Sharlene Lozier

2005DeeAnn Price

2006Sandy Wright

2007Holly Davis

2008Marilyn Jensen

2009Ena Olson

2010Jane Wardell

2011Tara Miller

2012 Mickey Thoman

2013Deanne Bradley

2014Jody Thompson

The Father (Parent) of the Year are listed below:

1970Richard Griggs

1971Darrell Copeland

1972Don Rogers

1973Ronald Ball

1974Wayne Howey

1975Larry Henry

1976Curtis Wsaisath

1977no one selected

1978Frank Bray

1979Richard Scott

1980no one selected

1981Michael Hughes

1982Marvin Price

1983Joel Bousman

1984Steve Fisher

1985no one selected

1986Rod Rozier

1987Dan Johnson

1988Casey Osborn

1990MikeMelinkovich

1991Cotton Guio

1992no one selected

1993Wayne Raza

1994Chris Moffat

1995David Axelson

1996Ted Roberts

1997Becky Marincic

1998Brent Dean

1999Carolyn Bing

2000Charlotee Keyser

2001Bob Beiermann

2002no one selected

2003Nancy & Joe Colton

In 1971, under the leadership of Dorothy Marincic, the group started the Friend of Agriculture to acknowledge the people in the Green River Valley who are very supportive of the ranching industry in the Green River Valley. The purpose of the award was to create a positive attitude toward ranching and ranch-organized activities between the Cowbelles and the business people in the Green River Valley. In 2010, all businesses, stores, financial institutions or companies as well as individuals such as teachers, and government employees are eligible for nomination.The Friends of Agriculture are listed below:

1971Helen Evans

1972Cowboy Shop

1973Burney & Co.

1974Stella McKinstry

1975State Bank of Big Piney

1976Johnson Trucking

1977Darrell Walker

1978Chuck Thornton

1979LoDisa Quinlivan

1980Richard Bower, DVM

1981Harold & Beulah Faler

1982Madge Funk

1983Joe Hay

1984Harvey Graham

1985Bert Reinow

1986“Blackie” Shriver

1987Courtney Davis

1988Vern & Rosemary Aultman

1989Ross Calvert

1990Forrest Cramer

1991Dennis Almquist

1992Bob Dew

1993Dan Budd

1994Eric Peterson

1995Fred Alexander

1996Jack Toomer

1997no one selected

1998Rob Shaul

1999Brent Dean

2000Daryle Bennett

2001Tiger & Melba Jaskolski

2002Adrianne Peterson

2003Bob Beiermann

2004Arlinda McLaughlin

2005Paul Scherbel

2006Kay Buston

2007Bob & Carolyn Bing

2008Bob Klaren

2009Kevin Williams

2010Jennifer Hayward

2011Sundowner Band

2012Chad Hayward

2013Tom Colerick

2014Paulette and Norm Waller of Waller Trucking

The first Barbie-Cue column appeared in the Pinedale Roundup in 1971 which was part of the beef promotion the group was working to bring to the public. They used the county papers for many beef promotions including “Toby and T-bone” and “What’s Your Beef” which included information about beef and the ranchers’ story. Spot ads were put in the newspapers about beef facts. They put out facts about different cuts of beef in the newspaper and the stores. They assisted at the county barbecues and advertised “Green River Valley beef is served.” In 1972, the beef promotion committee became even more active by going to the nonagricultural communities of Kemmerer and Rock Springs where they presented beef samples and demonstrationsto stores and schools. One very successful endeavor was gathering recipes of the particular cut of meat that was on sale in each of the country stores and making many copies to put on the meat counters for customers to take and use. A Son-of-a-gun-stew straight from the roundup cook’s recipes was a great success.

Harvest Ball was first held in 1971 at the Pit and Primer in Marbleton, Wyoming. The Cowbelles started the Harvest Ball to give back to the community. It was attended by 270 people who were served prime rib followed by a cocktail hour. There was dancing to the “Salty Dogs.” Many remember the Harvest Ball as elaborate and fancy, much to the credit of Anne Olson who worked tirelessly in the organization of the Harvest Ball in its early years. The Harvest Ball continued through 1997and was discontinued until 2000 when the Cowbelles held another dinner and dance called the Snowball at the Waterhole #3 in Marbleton. In 2003, they had the Fall Bash at the Boulder Community Center. At the Fall Bash in 2003, Sandy Wright danced the night away, only to require knee surgery following the event.

Miss Debbie Daniels, 14, of the Big Piney Cowpunchers 4-H Club, won the steer in an open drawing held by the Green River Valley Cowbelles in 1972. She chose her calf from the Bill McGinnis ranch’s calves. They also ran a concession stand at fair. Starting in 1974, the Cowbelles awarded a halter for the best first year showmanship at the Sublette County Fair. In 1985, they started giving a trophy instead of a halter, and in 2002, they started giving a plaque instead of a trophy. The following participants were winners:

1974Mandy Fear(Halter)

1975Mike Vickrey (possibly)

1976Lisa Beard

1977Shelly Bray (halter)

1978Brian Espenscheid

1979unknown

1980Nikol Vickrey (Halter)

1981Becky Sims

1982Clay Price & Will Hunt

1983Sherri Pearson

1984Angie Boroff (Halter)

1985Audra McGinnis (Trophy instead of halter)

1986Justin Roberts

1987Taylor Bardin

1988Cotton Bousman