The Cowgirl
Martha Jane Canary, known as Calamity Jane. Made herself know by dressing and telling stories like a man.
Photo from The Cowboy Encyclopedia, Slatta.
The women of the cattle drives were few and far between, about 1%, but they did exist and did do the work of tending the herd and rustling the stray cattle. The notable names that come to mind are Annie Oakley, and Calamity Jane. These women were more the showboats and more of performers than actual ranchers. The real cowgirls were the daughters of ranchers that help carry on the work of the ranch. The cowgirl often works next to her husband and they are partners on the range. Involved in many aspects of ranching from the cattle drive, branding, and castration the woman of the ranch could definitely hold her own in the west.
Grace (Mrs. Herman) Werner, 1922. Her divided skirt is made of heavy canvaslike material.
Photo from Cowgirls, Jordan.