The Modern Day Cowgirls

The culture of the modern cowgirl is different from the “Annie Oakley” portrait that was a symbol of the Old West in the 1800s. Today’s modern cowgirl can be traced to feminist movement that freed women to express themselves openly through their careers and sexual expression. In the United States there are two distinct locations where the culture of the modern cowgirl is featured -- Hollywood and Nashville. Cowgirls can be found everywhere, but it is the culture of these locations that is responsible for how they think and act.

Hollywood California provides a free spirited female with the cultural tools of acting and mannerisms that capture the role model of a modern cowgirl. Movies depict a modern cowgirl as young, free-spirited, athletic, and full of the desire to express themselves in ways that set them apart from nightclub models. A Hollywood cowgirl wears an attire of clothing that includes western-style boots, hats, tee shirts and blue jeans with a slim look highlighting the female body along with a home-on-the-range fragrance. A Hollywood cowgirl possesses a restless personality along with a desire to freely pursue her sexual identity.

Nashville Tennessee provides a western music culture as an avenue for modern cowgirls to express themselves in their music. This modern day cowgirl identifies with her fans and enthusiastically dresses and moves to the beat of a different drum. Just as with Hollywood the culture is identified by a free-spirited style of words and a longing for openly expressing the movements in her body. Reba McIntire has very few similarities with Annie Oakley.