Congressman Cynthia Lummis comes from a long tradition of service to our Wyoming community and Cheyenne Frontier Days. Born in Cheyenne to Doran and Enid Lummis, Cynthia and her siblings were immersed in the family tradition of commitment to family and community, God, and country. Deeply involved in her family’s ranch on Crow Creek near Cheyenne, Cynthia pitched in on everyday chores such as windrowing hay, building fence, calving and maintaining the ranch’s irrigation system. A skilled horsewoman, her ability to ride a horse of just about any temperament was a blessing for her mother, a member of the CFD WHEELS, who consistently engaged her children in the annual CFD Parades. Enid could also count on Cynthia to help move and repair the many parade costumes owned by the X-JWC when they didn’t have a permanent home. She graduated from Cheyenne’s East High School in 1972 and entered the University of Wyoming. While there she participated in the “World Campus Afloat” program where she toured Asia and Africa.

Pursuing an Animal Science degree and a Biology degree at the University of Wyoming, Cynthia was recognized as “Who’s Who” in America’s Colleges and Universities, one of only fifty students so acknowledged for their achievements. In the midst of her studies she participated as a member of the University rodeo team and competed as a breakaway roper. At the age of twenty, Cynthia was selected to become Lady-In-Waiting to Teresa Jordan in 1975 and went on to become Miss Frontier during our nation’s centennial. As part of her duties to Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cynthia was honored to attend the Navajo Pow Wow at Window Rock, Arizona where she was honored with a beautiful turquoise bracelet.

Shortly after her reign as Miss Frontier in 1979, Cynthia became the youngest woman ever elected to the Wyoming Legislature She returned to the University of Wyoming and received her law degree in 1985. Cynthia then clerked for the Supreme Court, practiced law in Cheyenne, and served a total of fourteen years in the Wyoming House and Senate, concentrating on agricultural, natural resource and taxation issues. She served as Policy Director for Governor Geringer 1995-1996 and in 1998; Cynthia was elected as Wyoming’s State Treasurer. While Treasurer, she converted Wyoming’s primarily fixed income investment portfolio of $3.5 billion to a fully diversified portfolio of equities, real estate and fixed income investments, public and private, domestic and international, which increased the funds to $8.5 billion. Her term of office as State Treasurer ended in January 2007. The University of Wyoming, College of Agriculture selected her as the Outstanding Alumna in 2005. In 2008, she was elected to be Wyoming’s sole Representative in the United States Congress in which she has avidly supported the state’s interests. She is currently on the House Natural Resources and House Oversight and Government Reform Committees.

With such tremendous responsibility, Cynthia did not abandon her love of Cheyenne Frontier Days. A constant advocate for the rodeo, Cynthia was invited to become a member of the CFD Board of Directors for her expertise in land management and financial matters. She was the first woman in a leadership position at Cheyenne Frontier Days and broke the “glass ceiling” for many other women thereafter. When the House schedule allows Cynthia has participated in every parade and Grand Entry since 2008. She is a familiar “face” on the Park.