While they might be called cowgirls, the women running the Cowgirl Cattle Company (CCC) are ranchers, farmers and pillars of their community. Whether its fundraising or barn chores, the cowgirls put their all into giving back, however they can.
The CCC has harnessed that dedication into a yearly event, The Rendezvous, which celebrates the heritage of women in agriculture while raising money for local organizations and initiatives. Annually, one cowgirl is specially recognized at each Rendezvous for her dedication to the field of agriculture and to the community. Cowgirls are also often longtime CCC members.
This year’s cowgirl is Dawn Turner, who was surprised with the title at the event. Mikki Shatoskey, from the Cowgirl Cattle Company, says that Turner was chosen because of her time serving the CCC and because she and her husband have been “part of the community” for generations.
Women like Turner have always been key players in agriculture, Shatoskey says. Historically, agriculture has given women opportunities to be independent or to build traditions with their family and the greater community that supports them.
“It’s a lifestyle that we all really enjoy and I think that coming together and celebrating that heritage and swapping stories, it’s just so important to keep that going.”
It’s important to the women of the CCC that their history and way of life are preserved and celebrated. One way of keeping the history alive is through Brandy the Cow.
Shatoskey explained that Brandy, a plastic cow featuring the original cattle brands of the founding CCC members, might seem a little silly initially, but she represents an important history.
While it’s all in good fun, memorializing Brandy the cow and even dedicating poems to cattle, Shatoskey stressed the livelihood that ranching and farming have provided to the families of the CCC. More importantly, she says it provided an excellent community, in and out of agriculture.
Though the women in the CCC work tirelessly to ensure that the event goes off without a hitch, it’s the volunteer firefighters who keep the event running.
“They come in and they prepare dinner for us, they serve the dinner, they clean up. I don’t know how we would do it without them,” Shatoskey said. “They’re just so helpful, and they’re just wonderful, wonderful people.”
The Cowgirls often work with the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, who help by volunteering their time and effort to The Rendezvous. This year, they also partnered with the Alberta Children’s Hospital, with all proceeds raised from the VIP table going to the hospital.
This year, the Rendezvous continued with the annual tradition of hosting a silent auction, where the proceeds supported the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society. Along with local vendors selling western wear and accoutrement, Shatoskey also mentioned that Cochrane’s homegrown George Fox, had sent his memoir to the event for purchase.
While the women of agriculture work tirelessly to ensure that the event goes off without a hitch, it’s the volunteer firefighters who keep the event running.
“They come in and they prepare dinner for us, they serve the dinner, they clean up. I don’t know how we would do it without them,” Shatoskey said. “They’re just so helpful, and they’re just wonderful, wonderful people.”
The Rendezvous was hosted at the Madden Community Centre this year, and there were about 150 attendees.
