National Day of the Cowgirl: Celebrating Women of the West

Each year on September 15th, we celebrate and recognize the women in the Western industry who never fail to amaze us with their unwavering strength, confidence, and dedication to their craft: The American Cowgirls. Whether you’re a rodeo queen, barrel racer, breakaway roper, ranch hand, or just a girl and her horse, we commend you for preserving and promoting the Western way of life.

The word ‘Cowgirl’ first made its appearance in the early 1900s. Teddy Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States, bestowed the affectionate name ‘Cowgirl’ upon Lucille Mulhall. Oklahoma native and acclaimed Wild West Performer, Lucille Mulhall paved the way for the cowgirls of today by displaying how women could rope, ride, shoot, and beat men at their own game. The emergence of cowgirls across the country aided in the progression of the women’s civil rights movement by providing visibility, breaking barriers, and inspiring empowerment.

Performers like Mulhall became role models for women and helped increase the visibility of the cowgirl and the idea of women in non-traditional roles. Cowgirls challenged societal stereotypes and became a symbol of individuality as they used their platform to advocate for equality and rights. Women continue to make their mark in traditionally male-dominated fields, and we have none other to thank except the Cowgirls themselves.

Now, you may be asking yourself; can you be a cowgirl without a horse? This year Cavender’s would not only like to celebrate the women who tend to their livestock, compete at rodeos, ranch, work cattle, or specialize in equine sports, but also celebrate the women who embody the “Cowgirl” state of mind. In commemoration of National Day of The Cowgirl, we interviewed one of our very own cowgirls: Madison Davis. Social Media Coordinator and former Texas Tech Rodeo Team member, Madison ‘Madi’ Davis, tells us her story and provides insight into what makes a Cowgirl a Cowgirl.

Watch Madi’s Interview and learn more about her story below.

What It Means to be a Cowgirl: An Interview with Madison Davis

Cavender’s: What does it mean to be a cowgirl?

Madison Davis: If you had asked me at 18 years old, what I thought being a cowgirl meant, I probably would have told you it’s about the amount of miles that you drove from Rodeo to Rodeo, or entering rodeos every weekend, or the time in which you could rope a calf or the amount of checks that you win. Like all of those highly measurable things that come with competing and being a part of the rodeo culture. Now, at the age of 23, if you asked me what it means to be a cowgirl, I would tell you that it doesn’t really have anything to do with your actual performance or any of those measurable things. Being a cowgirl is a state of mind. It’s who you are not what you do. It’s not something to be measured.

C: Tell us about your rodeo journey.

MD: I was fortunate enough to be blessed with great parents who, whether they realized it was a good idea or not, gave me a pony for my third birthday. And from then on, that was just it. That was all I wanted to do. I went through the levels of competing in youth rodeos, play days, and then going into high school rodeo and finally deciding to Rodeo for Texas Tech University. I competed on the Texas Tech rodeo team for four years as a breakaway roper. That experience was one that just truly shaped me into who I am today.

With Rodeo, not only did I grow so much in my roping thanks to my coach Jared Hofstetter. But I also grew as a person, meeting some of my best friends on the team and making lasting connections. My time spent with the team is something that I’m always going to remember and cherish, not necessarily because of the wins or the buckles, but because of the memories I shared with some of my best friends on the team; traveling together, living together, and being around like-minded people who appreciate hard work and know what it’s like to have the same goals that you do.

C: What’s your relationship with Cavender’s?

MD: I graduated from Texas Tech in December 2023. I knew upon graduating that I wanted a career in the Western lifestyle or industry. And not necessarily rodeoing for a living, I wanted something with a little more meat to it, something a little more stable. I was really interested in the business and marketing side of the industry. Essentially, that’s where Cavender’s came in. I am now Cavender’s social media coordinator.

So, any Instagram, post or Facebook content, all of that that comes from me. I am truly grateful to work for a company that shares my passion for preserving the Western lifestyle and sharing stories that otherwise wouldn’t necessarily get told in our modern day and age. I appreciate working for a company that holds onto traditions and values hard work. I love showcasing the Western lifestyle and the people that still live it every day.

I appreciate that Cavender’s is a company where you don’t have to be a cowgirl or a cowboy to walk through the doors. We are preserving this lifestyle by educating more people about it and sharing our culture and fashion with everyone. We celebrate any and all cowgirls whether you work on the ranch, in the office, or you’re a stay-at-home, mom, you’re all a cowgirl in your own right. Remember, being a cowgirl isn’t about the award buckles or how much land you have, it’s a state of mind. It’s who you are not your occupation.

Riding Onward

Happy National Day of the Cowgirl from Cavender’s! We’d like to thank all the Cowgirls on this day and encourage y’all to stop in a Cavender’s near you or online to pair your Cowgirl attitude with an authentic Cowgirl outfit built for you. Join Madi and the rest of our Cowgirls in sharing the Western lifestyle by following us on Instagram and Facebook.

AUTHOR BIO: LUCILLE MOORE

Lucille Moore, a part-time writer and full-time Western fashion guru, prides herself on originality and authenticity. Growing up on her family’s farm with two former ranch managers as parents, Lucille ‘Lucy’ was practically born in the saddle. As a full-time marketing student at the University of Texas at Tyler, she’s committed to delivering greatness with every word while consistently bringing new ideas to the table. Tenacity and passion are just a few of the great qualities that make Lucy, well Lucy. With an extensive background in the Western industry, a love for fashion, and a God-given talent to write, Lucy is determined to craft her own legacy between the lines of literature. Learn more about Lucille Moore by visiting her online portfolio HERE.