Owasso Magazine Celebrates Cowgirls

By Craig Day, The News On 6

OWASSO, OK -- While some small businesses are struggling in this economy, others are doing well.  In fact, a magazine published in Owasso and aimed at western women is getting national and international attention.

Pick up an issue of I.M. Cowgirl magazine and you'll find a little bit of everything:  profiles, feature stories, recipes, travel articles.  All are written for or are about America's western women.

"The women are just loving the magazine and they are actually collecting them, like it's a collector's item," said I.M. Cowgirl Publisher Lee Dunn.

I.M. Cowgirl is based out of Owasso and is the creation of Lee Dunn.  She says it's inspired by a desire to promote family values and showcase the accomplishments of western women, something Dunn says other magazines were lacking.

"Most western publications would like a one page type of a mentioning of a woman in the Western industry," said I.M. Cowgirl Publisher Lee Dunn.

Since its first issue in October of 2007 and a circulation of 300 copies, I.M. Cowgirl is now read by thousands of people in all 50 states and 13 countries.

"I was thinking, you know in about five years, that was my timeline to really get it to where it was starting to get out there, but gosh no.  It's been a year," said I.M. Cowgirl Publisher Lee Dunn.

Even Dunn is amazed at the magazine's speedy success.  The bi-monthly magazine can be found in 1,500 book stores nationwide.

"Our women are so excited about this, that they are actually marketing the magazine for us.  They are telling their friends, and their friends are telling their friends," said I.M. Cowgirl Publisher Lee Dunn.

Dunn says that shows a hunger for a magazine that honors women who have molded the West, both past and present.