May Featured Cowgirl
DeBoraha Akin-Townson
DeBoraha is sponsored by: 
Name: DeBoraha Akin-Townson
Age: 55
Marital Status: Married 16 yrs. to Stewart Townson
Family/Children: Brenda Akin, Lee Akin, Dawn Akin, Angela Worsham, Kenneth Akin, Arran Townson
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Native American Heritage: Maternal great, great-grandmother ½ Cherokee Indian, Paternal Great-granmother ½ Arkansas Indian
Horses: (names, breeds, color) Me Sompin Fast (Jake) AQHA
Pets you own: (cats, dogs, fish, etc) 1 Cat, named Oreo 2 Dogs, a Yorkie, named Marcie Mae and a McNab, Caysee
Events Worked: Barrels
Association member of: WPRA, NBHA and West Coast Barrel Racing Association
Rodeo Accomplishments: 1st African-American Female to compete in a rodeo finals 1990 IPRA, Tulsa, OK. 1989 IPRA Western Region Champion, 5 time Bill Picket Invitational All-Around Cowgirl, 6 time Bill Picket Invitational Barrel Racing Champion, 2003 California State Fair Lifetime Achievement Award, 2010 California Silver Lining Champion,
When did you start an interest in rodeo? While attending my first rodeo in 1980 Hemet, California
What other sports other than rodeo do you enjoy? Tennis
What is the funniest thing that you have seen or experienced at a rodeo? It’s wasn’t so funny when it happen, but it become something that I could laugh about later: I fell off the back of my horse, trying to pick up the 3rd barrel. My horse finished the pattern without me with the fastest time of the rodeo, the barrel was up, but since I wasn’t on him when he crossed the finish line, it was a DQ
What advice would you give to Indian youth about rodeo or anything in general? What I tell all youth is to dare to not just dream but dream big and find a rodeo mentor to help advise and spur you on.
What advice would you give to Indian youth who wanted to participate in rodeo but didn’t have the resources or support to get involved? Be willing to work for someone that perhaps has a ranch or horses in exchange for assisting you in being help to compete. Ask for sponsorship, but be willing to work for it.
Are there any songs that inspire or pump you up before you ride or rope? Olympic Theme
What would you like to see more of at Indian Rodeos? It’s been a long time since I’ve attended an Indian Rodeo, but what I loved about it was the scholarship program for the youth. I would like to see all non-mainstream rodeos to promote their contestants in entering the PRCA and WPRA.
What are/is your favorite western movie(s)? The Magnificent Seven and 8 Seconds
What is your favorite music? Jazz, Oldies and Country
What was your most memorable ride or run? Paso Robles, CA 1991, placing at my first PRCA Rodeo
Who is your all time hero? My maternal grandmother, who taught me to please God first through obedience and discipline. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman and I try with all that I am to model myself after the godly example that she showed me.
What Indian Cowboy or Cowgirl has influenced you to rodeo? Lynn Hart, rodeo clown. We traveled together and became really good friends. I have always admired how Lynn followed both his Native American Indian and his African American lineages. He will always be remember for his role in making MLK a state recognized holiday in his home state. Cora Archer (Osborne) of Konawa, Ok and a member of the Seminole Indian Nation, was a rodeo secretary, who opened her home to me while I was traveling and rodeoing in and around Oklahoma. She not only shared her home with me, but shared the heritage and lifestyle that are also a part of my roots.
Would you like to thank sponsors and or anyone for your success in rodeo? World Champion Barrel Racer, Lynn McKenzie who inspired me before I knew her personally, became my close friend and mentor. Lynn prays for and with me and has many times believed in me when I struggled to do so. She has also been my technical advisor on riding my horses. When I do finally make my trip to the Thomas and Mack it will be in large part to do with her and the support that she gave me.
