Get ready to saddle up and dive into the history of one of America's most enduring symbols: the cowboy. Oak Creek Public Library is hosting an event that offers a deep dive into the lore of these rugged icons of the frontier. If you've ever been intrigued by the cowboy's place in American media and literature, you won't want to miss what Dr. Diana Ahmad has to say. With a background in the history of the American West and a particular focus on the role of animals on overland trails, Dr. Ahmad brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
The event, billed for adults, is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and it features Dr. Ahmad, a former Professor of American History from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. She's not new to this rodeo; Ahmad earned her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri and has decades of study under her belt. She's a product of Milwaukee, having earned her BA and MA at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she was a student of Dr. Reginald Horsman.
According to the event announcement, those interested in gaining insight into the cowboy's rise from humble range riders to international symbols of American history, are encouraged to register. The talk takes place in the Multi-purpose Room at Oak Creek Library. Registration is recommended and it opened yesterday. You can secure a spot via the library's website or by a simple phone call.
With her expertise, Dr. Ahmad will likely explore the grit and, complexity of the cowboy image, how it has been woven into the very fabric of American identity. She's expected to trace the transformation from historical figures driving cattle across the plains to cultural icons enshrined in Hollywood and pulp fiction.
