President's Message

Pioneer Woman

“I'm five generations of blazin' a trail. Through barb-wired valleys and overgrown dells. I'm barefoot and bareback and born tough as nails”
- Lainey Wilson

A "pioneer woman" is often characterized by their courage, resilience and strength, taking on various responsibilities such as childrearing, farming and building communities. Pioneer women often broke societal barriers, contributing significantly to their families and communities while facing numerous challenges.

Establishing connections and building relationships was the theme for the first Angus Women Connected conference in 2012, hosted by the American Angus Auxiliary and generously supported by the Angus Foundation. The conference was designed to bring together a group of women from different regions of the country and backgrounds who share a common bond of Angus cattle.

Keynote speaker Suzy Graven, Cave Creek, Ariz., engaged participants by sharing stories of women who blazed trails in the American West and laid the foundation for today’s farm and ranch women, as well as women in all sectors of the business world. Suzy spoke of tales of pioneer women setting out for the west with wagons full of family heirlooms and household items ready to call home in the new territory, only to encounter unforeseen hardships, challenges and opportunities.

Even though we are more advanced and the covered wagons are gone, the pioneer woman still stands tall and shows strength in today’s modern times.

Just like in years past, the main goal of the biennial conference is to bring together a group of Angus female breeders, Auxiliary members, and those involved in the industry. Applicants will engage one another in conversation and friendship and empower leadership and educate themselves in a variety of relevant topics.

-Emma Collins Powell