Marge Earlywine
“There is nothing to brag about when you’re dead.” Margie Earlywine must know this because even after breaking her right hip, left collar bone, left hand, and nine ribs riding a horse at the age of 77, it didn’t keep her out of the saddle for more than a handful of months. It’s said that Earlywine has more Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Rodeo Trophies and Programs than the CFD Old West Museum.
Born and raised in Cheyenne, Earlywine’s father worked for the Union Pacific for 48 years. Her western adventure started when she married into a ranching family. Though ranch-hand/cowgirl was not a typical path in those days, Earlywine wasn’t one to wear an apron, and watch from the other side of the fence. In fact, ladies like that made no sense to her and her early days on the ranch were the beginning of her interest in the women who rode, roped and broke horses and added so much to the sport of rodeo.
Margie’s love for rodeo and the cowgirls who rode is showcased at the Mabel Strickland Cowgirls of the West Museum. Earlywine writes articles, gives presentations, and is constantly acquiring items for the Museum. It’s no surprise that the place is full of real treasures when its keeper is so staunchly enamored and committed to the history of cowgirls.
One of the treasures Earlywine most prizes is the McAlpin Trophy won by one of the First Ladies of Rodeo, Mabel Strickland. Strickland won the ladies saddle bronc riding at CFD and then went on to win the same event at Madison Square Gardens in New York. Strickland loves the trophy because it is so inspirational. “Mabel could do it all and she often did. She competed against the men in steer roping and performed as a trick rider as part of her rodeo resume.”
Earlywine recognizes that the western cowboy holds an esteemed place in history, and rightfully so. But she does have a bone to pick because she knows that “while the men caroused and captured a large piece of western rodeo history, there were women who were the mainstay at the ranch and kept up the home front. Behind every good cowboy there was usually an outstanding, tough woman.”
Margie must have as many tales circulating about her as the stories she collects. Beyond the spunk, the quick-witted history buff finds time to encourage softer landings for youth. “You’ll always see her at the FFA stock sales, where she even buys animals she doesn’t need in order to help kids out,” says Mary Brown who nominated Earlywine. “She is willing to give of her time to help the Kiwanis Club and also donates items from the Mabel Strickland Cowgirl Museum to aid in fundraisers for ‘kids here, there, and everywhere.’”
As far as collector’s items go, Marge Earlywine is a keeper.
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