Last Updated on February 26, 2024
Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone stands as a gateway to the wonders of the American West. Named after the legendary showman Buffalo Bill Cody, this vibrant town exudes a rich blend of frontier history and modern adventure.
Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Absaroka Range, Cody not only serves as a launching point for those seeking to explore the geothermal wonders and diverse wildlife of Yellowstone, but also boasts its own array of cultural attractions, from the Cody Nite Rodeo to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
As the sun sets behind the rugged peaks, Cody reveals itself as a timeless intersection of past and present, inviting visitors to embark on a journey where the spirit of the Wild West is very much alive.
There’s even more to Cody than meets the eye thanks to the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.
March is Women’s History Month and Cody Yellowstone takes advantage by celebrating the women who have made the destination extra special both in the past and in the present.
It All Started with “Buffalo Bill” Cody
It was the town founder and namesake Col. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody who believed in fairness and equality for women. He was an outlier who paid female “Wild West Show” performers such as sharpshooter Annie Oakley the same as he paid male performers.
“If a woman can do the same work that a man can do and do it just as well, she should have the same pay,” Cody stated in what must have been shocking words for the late 1800s.
“Buffalo Bill Cody ran a tight ship with many different cultures and minorities represented in the Wild West Show performances,” Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region, said. “He minimized the potential for conflict by treating everyone fairly and respectfully.”
Cody’s sentiment about equality is one that has been shared by many Wyoming leaders throughout its history.
Leading the Way for Women’s Suffrage
In 1869, the Territory of Wyoming became the first to grant suffrage (voting rights) to women. The story of how the all-male legislature reached that decision is as wild and meandering as the Shoshone River on an early spring day, with elements of political gamesmanship, greed, bigotry and pragmatism. Mostly, it was because of love. Or lack of it.
The miners, ranchers, railroad men, shopkeepers, cowboys, and entrepreneurs of Wyoming were lonely, and there were only so many young, single teachers to go around. The leaders of the territory realized they would have to make it more appealing if they wanted to entice women to its boundaries. After a series of precursory laws that allowed women to sit in on legislative sessions, granted equal pay for teachers, and guaranteed property rights, the legislature finally voted to grant suffrage on December 10, 1869.
It would be another 51 years before the 19th Amendment was passed giving all citizens, regardless of gender, the right to vote.
Wyoming offers some amazing ways to commemorate and salute its noteworthy women.
Mary Jester Allen: Buffalo Bill’s Niece
Head to the Buffalo Bill Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a Smithsonian Affiliate. Mary Jester Allen was Buffalo Bill Cody’s niece, and she played an important and lasting role in the history of the Center.
Thanks to her tireless cajoling and elegant persuasion, numerous members of the Cody family supported the establishment of the museum by donating their personal Buffalo Bill objects. The Buffalo Bill Museum is now one of five museums located at the Center of the West.
Hunter Old Elk: Assistant Curator at Plains Indian Museum
While you’re there, visit the Plains Indian Museum at Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The museum’s assistant curator, Hunter Old Elk, has worked with the Plains Indian Museum staff to develop exhibits that explore the historic and contemporary cultures and traditions of the Plains Indians peoples.
Old Elk is a member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) and Yakama Nations.
Nancy-Carroll Draper: Benefactor and Supporter
Check out the Draper Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Nancy-Carroll Draper was a dedicated benefactor and supporter of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and she played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Draper Museum of Natural History. Draper believed that the Center could and should integrate the natural sciences with humanities to provide visitors to the museum with a broader perspective on the American West.
The museum’s innovative exhibits provide a memorable orientation to the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Estelle Ishigo: Artist and Dedicated Wife
At the Heart Museum WW II Interpretive Center, you’ll find the inspirational story of Estelle Ishigo. A Caucasian woman, she chose to remain at her Japanese-American husband’s side when he was imprisoned at the Heart Mountain Confinement Site during World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A talented artist, Ishigo chronicled the day-to-day lives of the 14,000 camp residents with sketches, drawings and watercolors depicting the brutal conditions of the camp and camp life. Her artistic creations are among the many poignant exhibits on display at the Heart Mountain WW Interpretive Center today.
Caroline Lockhart: Publisher/Editor of Cody Enterprise
Pick up a copy of the Cody Enterprise newspaper (and head to the Cody Stampede this summer).
Caroline Lockhart was the editor and publisher of the Cody Enterprise as well as a best-selling novelist with a penchant for fraternizing with Hollywood and society types and a reputation for flouting societal norms. She was a passionate horsewoman who jubilantly supported almost any initiative that promoted Western heritage or honored the memory of her dear friend Buffalo Bill Cody, who died in 1917.
In 1920, she and other town leaders promoted the idea of staging the Cody Stampede, a rodeo event held on July 4. The Cody Stampede grew over time, and today it is a five-day celebration that not only includes rodeo but also parades, festivals and other special events.
Agnes Chamberlin: Chamberlin Inn Entrepreneur
Relax with a “Death in the Afternoon” cocktail at the Chamberlin Inn.
Agnes Chamberlin was the owner and proprietress of the Chamberlin Inn, now a centrally located boutique hotel and popular gathering place. She opened the hotel as a boardinghouse in 1900 and gradually expanded the building and added touches of luxury.
The hotel was the place to be and be seen, and she often hosted high-profile guests like Ernest Hemingway and Marshall Fields. She was a civic leader who founded the Cody Women’s Club and often hosted Cody Club Chamber meetings.
The Chamberlin Inn’s Spirits Lounge features a variety of specialty cocktails.
Cassie Waters: Founder of Cassie’s Super Club
Guests can still dance the night away at Cassie’s Supper Club thanks to Cassie Waters, a young widow who founded one of the town’s most successful houses of prostitution in 1912. She became known as a generous civic leader who often was among the first in line when contributions were needed for schools or charitable organizations.
Although she complied when townspeople pressured her to move her bustling business to the outskirts of town, she continued to support the town in numerous ways until her death. Cassie’s Supper Club remains a popular destination for dining and dancing.
Fast forward to the present, and the amazing women of Wyoming continue to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the business world.
Elyse Guarino: Wyoming River Trips and Wyoming Rivers Cooperative
If you get the chance to raft the Shoshone River or take a packrafting trip, you can thank Elyse Guarino who co-owns both companies with her partner, Landon Blanchard.
She is a tireless advocate for responsible recreation and critical thinking about one’s own outdoor and environmental ethics and has been an outdoor educator for 17 years in the mountains, canyons and on the rivers around the West.
Lindsey Anson: Pitchfork Ranch
If you’re into quality farm-raised beef, you can even ship some home from the Pitchfork Ranch in Meeteetse. Manager Lindsey Anson is dedicated to promoting authentic Western traditions and serves as a WildWatch Ambassador for Cody Yellowstone. Much of her work is focused on making the historic ranch increasingly sustainable.
Norfleet Gifford and Ariel Fishman: Pat’s Brew House
While in town, guests can enjoy a brew and a Reuben at the all-female-owned- and- operated Pat’s Brew House. Owners Norfleet Gifford and Ariel Fishman offer some of the best sandwiches in town, while brewer Alexandria Cain brews up original recipes in a variety of styles.
Pat’s Brew House offers a fun and lighthearted atmosphere just steps away from Sheridan Ave., Cody’s main street.
Jen and Brian Walker: Cody Brewing Company
At Cody Brewing Company, owners Jen and Brian Walker have created a family- and dog-friendly atmosphere as well as award-winning brews. Although the brewery does not have a kitchen, it does welcome food trucks on a regular basis.
Sandy Newsome: Business Owner and Tourism Promotor
A state legislator for House District 24, Sandy Newsome sits on numerous state boards and lobbies at the state level to promote the Wyoming Tourism Industry. She also launched and later sold two businesses in downtown Cody called Cowtown Candy and Sunlight Sports.
An unnamed author once said, “There is no force equal to that of a determined woman.”
Obviously, these pioneering women throughout Wyoming history have made their mark on the world in their own special way.
