Business of Life

Cowgirl Smarts

When I was young, I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up, so am I ever happy that I learned about Cowgirl Smarts.

Gutsy, brave, and undaunted they set out to lasso more out of life. These cowgirls were more than boots and spurs. They were women with inner strength and trailblazing attitudes, women who lived life on their own terms.
“Please excuse the pants,” some cowgirls said as they unashamedly traded their shirtwaists for flannel and their sidesaddles for riding astride. They were initially starred at, poked fun of and some even banned from town. By choosing to assume lifestyles and jobs normally reserved exclusively for cowboys, and quietly proving their equality, these cowgirls unintentionally moved women from suffrage rallies to voting booths. They did it by burning their sidesaddles—not their bras. They are the Americana spirit that sets American women apart from any other nationality.

Here are some Cowgirl rules of life from Ellen Reid Smith:

1. Sometimes you have to buck the norms to pursue your dreams
2. Adventure and Excitement Beat Housework
3. Be tough, but revel in your femininity
4. When life throws you to the ground, get back on the horse
5. Don’t let others belittle your achievements
6. Accept the nature of things
7. Work hard and look after other cowpokes
8. Never steal another cowgirl’s horse or thunder
9. Attack life like it’s a 1000 pound steer
10. Act on your beliefs rather than protesting for them
11. Use common sense, if you don’t, the cattle will knock it into you
12. Let the land rejuvenate your soul
13. Walk beside your pardner, not in front
14. When cow poking doesn’t pay, be resourceful
15. Embrace urban cowgirls