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For Whom the Cowbells Toll

tmontague
Explorer C

Our salute to Colleen winds down today, and Tonda explains the significance of the cowbell. 

The clamoring of cowbells is not what you would expect to hear in the lobby of a Fortune 500 company; but then again, Southwest Airlines is famous for doing the unexpected!  The ringing of cowbells has become a popular tradition to cheer on athletes.  Yesterday, hundreds of Southwest Employees gathered to cheer not for an athlete, but for someone we affectionately call our “Queen of Hearts.”

On this day, Colleen Barrett relinquished her President’s title, and the Employees wanted to honor her in a very meaningful way.  So, why the cheerful clamor of cowbells you ask?  It’s actually a tradition that dates back to Colleen’s childhood in Bellows Falls, Vermont.  Her mother used to ring “this darn cowbell,” as Colleen would say, when she or her brothers accomplished something special or celebrated a certain event.  The distinctive sound of that “darn cowbell” marked many milestones.

The family home was later destroyed by fire, and they all searched and searched to find that cowbell which brought back memories of happier times.  The cowbell did, indeed, survive the fire, as did Colleen, her mother, and her brothers.  It was definitely a moment that deserved the clamor of the cowbell.


Now fast forward several decades to a black tie event in Tampa honoring the recipient of the Tony Jannus Award.  For 45 years, this award has recognized extraordinary accomplishments in the field of commercial aviation. The award is named in honor of the pilot of the first commercial airline flight, which flew from St. Petersburg to Tampa in 1914.  On this particular night in October 2007, Colleen became the first female to receive this prestigious award.  And do you know what Colleen heard as she stepped upon the stage to receive her award?  You guessed it—the cheerful clamor of that darn cowbell!  One of Colleen’s brothers was in attendance with other members of the family, and they all rose and proudly rang those cowbells.  Colleen told the crowd in attendance about the significance of that cowbell, and how when her mother died that the cowbell was the one thing she and her surviving brother fought over.

As Colleen’s Southwest Family gathered in Corporate Headquarters on her last official day as President, we wanted to celebrate this great milestone in her life just the way her mother would have wanted.  So from the 34,000 Southwest Family Members, we say, “Job well done, Colleen Barrett.”  See you tomorrow!

6 Comments
Anonymous1514
Explorer C
More Cowbell Please! (She deserves it!)
Texas_Lizard
Explorer C
I am a contractor at Southwest but did attend this historic moment. I have worked here for a year and have also felt the LUV that Colleen and Herb offer. It seeps down to each and every department. It is great that she will still be here as "mother" to here flock.
Anonymous2470
Explorer C
Great article Tonda! Colleen....Thanks for all the years of dedication and LUV to SWA and especially the Employees.
Darrell_J_Piers
Explorer C
Thank you - thank you for having this surprise available for us via "RedBellyRadio". I sat here in Orlando working, with tears streaming down my face as I listened to Herb and Gary speak from my heart with their words. What else can be said that hasn't already been uttered ? From an Employee that has been personally guided and mentored by Colleen, I am truly priviledged and honored. I often have told my CSA and CSS teams when I was in the Manager role in Ground OPS, " Do the right thing......think, What would Colleen do in this circumstance ? " Eyes would light up, and the fog of uncertainty would clear when they understood the simplicity of the question. I carry with me a memory and warmth that no one can take from me. Colleen's Leadership and personal activism changed how Corporate Amercia treated it's Employees. How lucky, how fortunate to have been witness of that LUV and example ! Colleen inspires all of us to be just a wee bit kinder and truly consider Our Company --a Mission, than rather just merely another job.
cbarrett1
Explorer A
Tonda: I LUVed this piece--thanks so much, xoxo Colleen
cbarrett1
Explorer A
Darrell, Your comments "made" my day. I LUV you too, my dear! xoxo Colleen