Trailblazers

Dr. Amanda Janet "Nettie" Ware

Born in 1900, Dr. Amanda Janet Ware was given the nickname Nettie by her father - the legendary Pioneer Rancher John Ware. Second born of the famous black cowboy and his wife Mildred, Nettie has shared her memories in numerous interviews and articles. When she was 87 she told of the family bringing a frozen anvil into the log cabin to warm up, and how her curiosity led to her tongue being thawed from its icy contact with the anvil.

She recalled how slow the mail was, and how sad her mother was upon learning of Queen Victoria’s death six months after it happened.

In 1912 Nettie and her siblings were orphaned when her mother died of pneumonia and later the same year her father was killed when his horse stepped in a badger hole and rolled on him. Young Nettie was just 12 years old then and the five Ware children went to live with their grandparents in Blairmore.

She spoke of her father as a kind and good man who raised his family with high morals and strong Christian principles.

In an era when prejudice against colour and against women was common, Nettie made her own way in the world, purchasing her own home and moving to Vulcan in 1959. Her selfless dedication to ensuring the pioneer stories were not lost to history resulted in countless books and articles quoting this modest woman extensively.

In 1972 she was honoured to be chosen the Pioneer Daughter of Southern Alberta, and in 1982 the University of Lethbridge conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Law to this humble yet remarkable woman for her valuable contribution to society and humanity. She was an honorary member of the Farm Women’s institute, President of the High River Senior citizens, and a member of the Black Women’s congress in Toronto.

She never rode broncs, ruled as a cattle baron nor cowboyed for a living, but through the voice and pen of this humble woman, the stories of those that did were recorded forever.

Nettie Ware passed away at the Vulcan general hospital in 1989 on her 96th birthday.

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