American National CattleWomen

A group of fifteen women met at the Four Bar Ranch near Douglas, Arizona, in October 1939 to form the Cow Belles, an organization to help promote the beef industry and friendship among cattle people. By 1951 ten state-wide organizations had been formed, leading to the development of a national organization. At the annual American National Cattlemen's Association convention in San Francisco in January 1951, Mary Louise Lynam was elected organizing chair and during the ANCA's 1952 convention in Fort Worth, Texas, the American National Cowbelles were incorporated on January 7, 1952. The organization changed its name to the American National CattleWomen in 1986 to provide national leadership and coordinate promotion, education and legislative activities for women in the cattle industry. The ANCW has initiated several beef promotion projects, including cookbooks, "Beef for Father's Day," and a National Beef Cook-Off, which began in 1974.

From the description of Records, 1951-1995. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 24686666

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