Cowgirls' glory days on exhibit

A glimpse into the showy, skilled and high-risk lives of cowgirls of the early 1900s is highlighted in a display featured at Green Valley's historic Canoa Ranch beginning Feb. 18. “When Bronc Riders Wore Lipstick” runs in tandem with La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, and ends on Heritage Day at Canoa Ranch. The display includes rare items from Western enthusiast and preservationist Cheri Raftery, who calls her collection “very personal,” and says she's proud to be retaining a small piece of forgotten history. Raftery and her husband Scott lease the equestrian part of Canoa Ranch for their cutting horse business. Authentic cowgirl dress, historic photos and original artwork of them riding in rodeos and exhibitions put the items in context, said Valerie Samoy of Pima County's Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department. The county has owned the ranch since 2001. Included are cowgirl skirts, bronc belts, hats, cuffs, spurs, riding boots, saddles, gear and more. “Together, they graphically illustrate the history of the cowgirl and bring to life her glory days as an unsung hero and genuine icon of the American West,” Samoy said...more