ACWA Draft Bylaws

Alabama Cattlewomen's Association


2011 ACWA President Evelyn Brown


2011 Junior Beef Expo ACWA Scholarship Winner
Carly Lindstrom

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

2011 Alabama CattleWomen’s Association Officers

Click here to view the directory

Presidents of the Alabama CowBelles/CattleWomen’s Association

1953 Mrs. Mack Maples
1954 Mrs. W.A. Womack
1955 Mrs. Clark Rudder
1956-1957 Mrs. W.P. Breen
1958-1959 Mrs. Roy Park
1960-1961 Mrs. R.C. Molette
1962-1963 Mrs. E.H. Wilson
1964-1965 Mrs. Flynn Morris
1982-1983 Mrs. Harold Pate
1984-1985 Mrs. Sol Tepper, Jr.
1986-1987 Aileen Dahlke
1988-1989 Rosellen Ray
1990-1991 Jeanette Warnke
1992-1993 Mary Lois Childress
1994 Judy Kelly
1995 Mable McDaniel
1996 Lynne Hardee
1997 Judy Poiroux
1998 Carol Dent
1999 Cindy Pate
2000 Laura Whitley
2001 Shelby Hicks
2002 Sharon Fox
2003 Lana Slaten
2004 Ramona Harris
2005 Nancy Ray
2006 Nancy Simmer
2007 Pat Fell
2008 Nancy Dickerson
2009 Debby Carpenter
2010 Karen Harrison