Our culture in Wyoming is rooted in the “Code of the West” and “Cowboy Culture.” James P. Owen, author of “Cowboy Ethics: What It Takes to Win at Life,” says, “Cowboys are heroic because they show us what it means to stand for something. They live by their code, the Code of the West. And they care deeply about being true to their beliefs. In fact, honoring the Code is the hallmark of a genuine cowboy. It’s the glue that binds cowboys into a community.”  These “Cowboy Ethics” emphasize values like courage, integrity, fairness and respect. This moral code has helped guide life across the American West. When we look at the history of women’s rights in Wyoming we clearly see these values reflected.

Wyoming is known as the Equality State because we were the first territory in the U.S. to grant women the right to vote. This took courage from Wyomingnites who were willing to go against the established norms. It also reflected fairness and the belief women deserved the same voice in democracy as men. When Wyoming entered the Union it refused to give up women’s suffrage. Instead it chose to demonstrate integrity and a commitment to principle when pressured to compromise. Integrity and commitment to our convictions is what we need to hold onto now. If we allow ourselves to look away, values we hold dear as Wyomingnites will disappear. As we go through Women’s History Month it is important to remember that full equality has not yet been achieved. 

Did you know that the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was not passed until 1919?  Did you know that women were not allowed to have their own bank account or credit card until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed in 1974? While these things are legal for women today, the ability and access to these rights are still limited in their implementation. While many agree that women are more involved in society and the workplace, did you know that women typically earn less than men, with a global pay gap of 22% reported in 2018, and are more likely to work in lower paying jobs than men? Did you know women are underrepresented in senior management and face a “broken rung” in promotion opportunities?  Did you know many women also lack adequate paid maternity leave which can lead to the difficult choice of having to choose between career and family?  Women also continue to face barriers in accessing financial services, with only 37% of women having a bank account compared to 46% of men.  

This Women’s History Month it is important to remember that the ideals we associate with the cowboy spirit, like honesty, respect, courage and standing up for what is right, are the same ideals that fueled the women’s suffrage movement that Wyoming is known for. This story teaches us that our community is strongest when we include and look out for everyone.  Remember, honoring women’s history is not separate from the cowboy ethic; it is a continuation of it. Both remind us that fairness, hard work and integrity are the foundations of a just and prosperous society.

Sherman Hill 

Write for Wyoming