Stanton: All her heroes have been cowgirls
by Billie Stanton on Jun. 19, 2006, under Opinion
Brittney Holland (at age 14) rides and races despite being blind.
American authenticity and sheer goodness have become elusive attributes, leaving our girls with role models such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.
But Tucson photographer and filmmaker Jamie Williams has found the antidote in the American cowgirl.
From retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to rodeo photographer Louise Serpa, Tucson is chock-full of women worthy of emulation.
Like others across our land, they’re American cowgirls, by golly.
And Williams, a 39-year-old escapee from Texas, has been chronicling the cowgirl spirit in the West for several years.
Now the Tucson-based talent is finishing her feature-length documentary, “American Cowgirl,” along with a photography book and traveling exhibit.
Williams recently received an artist’s grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts for her work.
She chronicles the women who shaped the history and legends of the West and the new cowgirls carrying on that tradition.
These women realized their dreams against all odds.
Connie Reeves taught more than 36,000 girls to ride horseback over 65 years, after ranching decades with her husband.
She lived by her motto: “Always saddle your own horse.”
The Texas cowgirl kept riding till one month before her 102nd birthday, when she was thrown by her favorite horse, Dr. Pepper. She died Aug. 17, 2004.
How does a cowgirl keep riding so long?
“Well, honey, you just don’t let that rocking chair take over,” Connie says on film. “You get up and go even if you don’t want to.”
While Connie is the oldest cowgirl in the film, Jess Abney is the youngest.
She proudly told Williams: “I’m a cowgirl, like my mama.”
When she grows up, the 4-year-old says, she’ll be a veterinarian and own a ranch with 17 horses. Jess already has names for all 17.
Brittney Holland was filmed at age 14 in Weatherford, Texas.
Like many cowgirls, she enjoys barrel racing. But Brittney is blind.
She started riding at age 4. When she started barrel racing, she wore headphones so her mother could tell her when to turn. Now she does it by feel.
“She doesn’t let anything stand in her way,” Williams notes.
Says Brittney, “When I’m on a horse, it lets me be free. It lets me be who I want to be.”
Another Williams favorite also inspired generations of girls around the world.
Dale Evans died Feb. 7, 2001, at age 88, having made 27 films with husband Roy Rogers.
In an act of generosity that Williams never will forget, the ailing Dale put on a favorite cowgirl outfit, was helped into her wheelchair and not only posed for the filmmaker, but also wrote the introduction for her book.
Louise Serpa, Tucson’s renowned rodeo photographer, also has won Williams’ respect.
Serpa, who has been run over by a bull among other rodeo wake-up calls, has a motto, too:
“Never don’t pay attention.”
The key word for these girls and women is spirit.
“It’s not all about flash and glamour and sex,” Williams says. “There needs to be something deeper than that.
“With cowgirls, it doesn’t matter about your car, your clothes. It’s about family values. Mother Nature. The animals and taking care of each other.
“The passion is in every one of these cowgirls I’ve ever met.”
And a look at “American Cowgirl” shows that passion is in Williams, too.
Billie Stanton may be reached at 573-4664 or bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com.
Jess Abney (at age 4) hangs on a fence at her family's Texas ranch. The little equestrian already plans to someday have her own ranch - with 17 horses.
'Always saddle your own horse.'
CONNIE REEVES,
who lived to be 101 and taught more than 36,000 girls how to ride
'Never don't pay attention.'
LOUISE SERPA,
Tucson rodeo photographer
Dale Evans arrived in a wheelchair to be photographed by Jamie Williams, though they never had met before.
Jamie Williams, photographer and filmmaker, received a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
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To see a five-minute clip of the “American Cowgirl” documentary, click here.
For more information on Jamie Williams’ work, go to www.ThatGirlProductions.com
