On Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m., the Pioneer Woman Museum is pleased to host a book discussion with author Chris Enss.

Enss will share untold stories of the bold women who rode harder, roped faster, and stole the spotlight in early Hollywood, while she discusses her new title, Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women (2026, Lyons Press). In the early days of Hollywood, there were many leading cowgirls and real cowgirls who kept the Western spirit alive. They performed every conceivable feat of horsemanship and displayed professional skills by putting forth their best efforts and devotion.

Daughters of Daring is the story of more than a dozen trick ropers, bronc busters, and bulldoggers turned actresses who, like the early ranch women and rodeo competitors, had pluck and charm. These women performed their own stunts, riding horses at breakneck speed, firing guns, and capturing outlaws. Cowgirl actresses such as Ruth Roland, Helen Gibson, Texas Guinan, Marin Sais, Anne Little, Marie Walcamp, and Evelyn Selbie received top billing above the cowboy and his horse in hundreds of films.