Jean Cocteau (1889–1963)

“Carmen Amaya is hail on a windowpane, a swallow’s cry, a black cigar smoked by a dreamer, thunderous applause; when she and her family sweep into town, they cause ugliness, torpor and gloom to evaporate just as a swarm of insects strips the trees of their leaves.”

Thank you to @Lulihar99 on twitter for suggesting I write about Carmen!

Carmen Amaya (1913–1963) was a Romani dancer who performed around the world and had a huge impact on the art of flamenco. During her lifetime she was called the greatest of dancers, and Queen of the Gypsies.

Carmen called herself a Gypsy, but today this term is considered offensive by many Romani people for its … Read More »

Fannie Sperry Steele (1887-1983), born Fannie Steele, was an award-winning bronc rider and rodeo performer from Montana, one of the first women inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame, and the first Montana native in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Born Fannie Sperry to Rachel and Datus Sperry, Fannie was a first-generation Montanan. She was taught to ride by the time she could walk by her mother Rachel, since her father was prevented from riding by an old injury. She inherited her love of horses, especially Pintos, from her mother.

A common practice for female rodeo riders at the time was to tie the stirrups together under the horses belly for greater stability in the stable. Judges allowed this for women with no penalties. Fannie was famous for … Read More »