Alabama Cattlewomen's Association

The Alabama CowBelles Association, known today as the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association, has served as the auxiliary to the Alabama Cattlemen's Association since 1953. The Alabama CowBelles got their start when Mack Maples, ACA President, and E.   Ham Wilson visited Kansas City, Missouri in January 1953 for the annual American National Cattlemen’s Association meeting. The previous year, the American National CowBelles, Inc. was formed at the annual meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. The new CowBelles impressed Maples and Wilson with their ideas for helping the cattlemen promote their industry.

A few weeks later, at the annual Alabama Cattlemen's Association meeting, the suggestion was made to some of the wives of ACA leaders that an Alabama CowBelles Association might be a good idea. The women took hold of the idea and the next day a couple dozen of them gathered to organize the Alabama CowBelles Association. Doris Maples was elected as the first president of the association. The first year there were only 33 members, but these women went right to work following their slogan: “To Help the Cattlemen.”

The purpose of the CowBelles is stated in their Articles of Incorporation:
“The purposes of this non-profit corporation are to serve as the women’s auxiliary of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association and to conduct, and to participate in, activities which will assist the Alabama Cattlemen's Association in its endeavors to promote, develop, expand, and encourage the production of beef cattle in Alabama, as well as its efforts for the advancement and betterment of the interest and welfare of Alabama cattlemen and the cattle industry; to conduct and be responsible for the ladies’ business and social activities at its annual meeting and on other occasions; and to do and perform any and all acts necessary and suitable, and proper for the accomplishment of the purposes for which it is organized.”

Over the years the CowBelles have been one of the most important contributions to beef promotion in Alabama. In 1954 the CowBelles pitched in to help distribute “Eat More Beef” stickers, and in 1955 they began their own program which still continues today: “Beef for Father’s Day.” The next big idea from the CowBelles was the start of the “Beef Cook Off” in 1961. 

The Alabama CowBelles changed their name to the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association in 1988.  The ACWA has proven to be a great asset to the Alabama Cattlemen's Association and the beef industry as a whole.

To become a member of the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association, download an application: Application

2013 Alabama CattleWomen’s Association Officers

Click here to view the directory

Click here ACWA District Contacts

Click here ACWA Hall of Honor & Cowbelle Award

Presidents of the Alabama CowBelles/CattleWomen’s Association

1953		Mrs. Mack Maples
1954		Mrs. W.A. Womack
1955		Carolyn Rudder	Houston
1956-57	*	Myrtle Breene	Greene
1958-59	*	Ora Lee Park	Pike
1960-61	*	Viola Moleette	Dallas
1962-63	*	Louise Wilson	Montgomery
1964-65		Thelma Morris	Monroe
1966-67	*	Hope Wadsworth	Autauga
1968-69		Hilda Smilie	Montgomery
1970-71		Louise Belcher	Perry
1972-73		Betty Hixon	Pike
1974-75	*	Sarah Killough	Talladega
1976-77		Nell Goggins	Sumpter
1978-79	*	Nedria Smelser	Tuscaloosa
1980-81		Myrtle Quiggle	Marengo
1982-83		Joan Pate	Lowndes
1984-85		Nellie Kate Tepper	Dallas
1986-87		Aileene Dahlke Foster	Tuscaloosa
1988-89	*	Jeanette Warnke	Cullman
1990-91		Rosellen Ray	Elmore
1992-93		Mary Lois Childress	Baldwin
1994		Judy Kelley	Chilton
1995		Mable McDaniel	Pickens
1996		Lynne Hardee	Monroe
1997		Judy Pioroux	Mobile
1998		Carol Dent	Tallapoosa
1999		Cindy Pate	Lowndes
2000		Laura Whitley	Blount
2001		Shelby Hicks	Talladega
2002		Sharon Fox	Autauga
2003		Lana Slaten	Cullman
2004		Ramona Harris	Jefferson
2005		Nancy Ray	Montgomery
2006		Nancy Simmer	Shelby
2007		Pat Fell	Walker
2008		Nancy Dickerson	Lauderdale
2009		Debby Carpenter	Pike
2010		Karen Harrision	Baldwin
2011		Evelyn Brown	Cullman
2012		Mona Smelser Plyler	Tuscaloosa
	*	Deceased