Wonder Woman of the Week: Prairie Rose Henderson

This week's Wonder Woman made a name for herself as a woman stronger than she ought to have been. Prairie Rose Henderson was one of the first women to be an American professional athlete. Born in the 1880's in Wyoming, Ann Robins spent her childhood on a ranch learning the craft of working with horses. From an early age, she made a name for herself as a gymnast on a horse and a skilled racer. Henderson became the first woman to compete in the bronc riding event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo in either 1899 or 1901 (accounts vary)- making her one of the first female professional athletes in US history.

Ann Robbins took on the stage name Prairie Rose Henderson as she joined Wild West shows to appear in rodeos across the country- becoming a famous athlete in a time where few were women. Henderson even appeared in a 1920's silent film detailing the events of rodeo in Cowboy Jazz. Henderson died in 1933 during a snowstorm when she was caught out in the elements while attempting to corral a pony. She was missing or six years before her body was discovered- identifiable only by her rodeo champion belt buckle. Prairie Rose Henderson remains identifiable for her rodeo achievements as an inductee in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame as well as being a household name in Wild West history.