Ranch/farm women throughout history have had to be strong,
resilient women. There is no need for feminism as a ranch woman is all woman
and yet, can do a man’s work if necessary. She doesn’t feel threatened by a man
no matter how big a fella he may be, she knows there is always an equalizer!
Sometimes that comes in the form of her good cooking, a 2x4 or her shot gun if
necessary! Ha ha! She typically works alongside of the men if she’s not the one
rustling up some grub! She is a respected partner and respected in her gender
as well. A gentleman will help a lady and she will accept that help but at the
same time, she’ll pick up the other end of that log or board if it is needed
and has no qualms and neither does the man as he realizes the strength and
resilience she has in her own right.
I truly believe feminism comes from city folk as country
folk have always done what they needed to do without any pretenses from either
gender. Many a man cooked on the trail and often were known as "Cooksey".
Skirts or pants? Well…ranch ladies love their skirts that’s
for sure because they are all woman, but they also NEED their britches at
times. I’ve been on the Colorado plains with winds whipping at 70mph and my
skirt going up over my head…it was not the most modest of things to deal with.
Then, if you couple that with livestock…an unruly heifer or even worse, a bull…you
quickly learn pants may be safer and even a more modest option. Back in the day
there were no women’s pants/jeans…but ranch women improvised when necessary.
They typically would put on their husband’s or sons pants, tie them up with a
cord, roll up the legs and go out and do the work if their menfolk were laid up,
gone to take care of other business, or up and left them altogether. Life was
tough for the pioneer woman…she did whatever she had to do to survive. If she
knew that ole bull in that pen could get a hold of her skirt and kill her…well,
she had no pretenses about it, she’d just put on a man’s britches and have at
it with the work load. Now…she also didn’t feel she had to be a man if one was
around and able. She would just as readily put on a dress and act like a proper
lady. Hence…women didn’t need the tag of “Feminism” to be their mantra. They
did it all and were all that on their own. No moniker necessary, thank you!
She’s a gal who may be up all night with a new calf and
still be up at dawn to feed & care for her livestock. If she has enough
menfolk…she’s a lucky gal as they can give her a bit of rest as she also maintains
the home life. Cooking, cleaning and general maintenance may fall on her
shoulders as well. They all work together and pull the load. Most ranch women
typically earn the respect of menfolk and frankly, wouldn’t want it any other
way. Men have to earn respect from other men so she figures she’s no different!
