Section 2: Who Were Black Cowboys? Men & Women

She could throw calves and do anything else a man could and maybe better. Simmie Rydolph and Monroe “Bailey” Shaw on “Aunt Rittie”

Throughout the American West, Black women worked on ranches and farms to care for cattle and other animals. Evidence is growing that many were highly skilled ranch hands. In some places, men and women did different types of work because of customs and traditions. 

Find the women in this exhibit who had all the skills a cowhand needed.

There are 4 images of individuals and 1 of cattle. Captions follow: 

Caption (1): Ethel Shaw and her first husband Warner “Goody” Isaiah, sit atop a donkey with a shotgun.

Creditline: Louise S. O’Connor. Courtesy The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University

Caption (2): Ross Ella Rydolph, daughter of Pete Rydolph, a Black rancher and farmer in Victoria County, Texas, 1940s. 

Creditline: Louise S. O’Connor. Courtesy The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University

Caption (3): Laura Broussaurd holding a heifer by the reins in Refugio County, Texas, 1947. 

Creditline: Louise S. O’Connor. Courtesy The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University

Caption (4): Mrs. Gertrude Rydolph, known as a skilled ranch woman, with a large cast iron kettle, 1912-1930.

Creditline: Louise S. O’Connor. Courtesy The Wittliff Collections, Texas State University

Caption (5): Cattle brand registered to Jane Warren in Bexar County, Texas