Jan 26: “Louise Serpa: The Woman Who Shot Cowboys”
Jan Cleere: Author, Historian, Public speaker
Monday, January 26, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm, Koffler Great Room at ASA and zoom
Anyone who has ever stared down an angry bull coming full throttle across an arena will understand why rodeo photographer Louise Serpa often uttered the adage “Never Don’t Pay Attention.” Born into New York society, Louise ended up out west with her nose buried in the dirt and her eye glued to a camera, becoming the first woman to venture inside the arena to shoot some of the most amazing photographs of rodeo action and never missed shooting the Tucson Rodeo from 1963 until 2011. The dust and dirt of the rodeo arena became Louise’s lifeblood for almost 50 years. Jan Cleere will share how Louise’s story demonstrates the courage and resolute of a woman determined to decide her own fate at a time when women were expected to marry, raise a family, and know their place in society.
Photo: Jan Cleere
Photo: Louise Serpa at Tucson Rodeo Credit: The Serpa family
Photo: Cotton Eye in Tucson 1989 Credit: The Serpa family
