Charlotte Cabral was named Cattlewoman of the Year by the San Benito Cattlewomen on Aug. 18.
Cabral was born in San Benito County along with three generations of her family before her. She was active in 4-H with cooking, sewing and livestock projects. She was raised on rural ranches around San Benito County, where she rode and roped with her family. She hauled horses to many a junior rodeo for her kids. She graduated from Hollister High School and immediately put her bookkeeping skills to work. She has been extremely active in participating in the activities, events and committees of the Cattlewomen’s organization. Cabral served on the board of directors and as chairman of several major promotional committees.
Her mother was a prior Cowbelle of the Year and she seems to be following in her mother’s footsteps as a master cake decorator. She is a major link to the Cattlewomen’s entire membership through email messages, notes and minutes. She is serving as the current secretary.
This year’s Cattlewoman of the Year answers to one name in various forms -Mom, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Friend and Charlotte.
Charlotte is the third of four siblings born to Dave and Frances Barrett on Mother’s Day in 1950. Having been born as an Rh factor baby she required blood transfusions to save her life and what a life she has had. Charlotte married Mark Cabral in 1970 and after his tragic death in 1976 she raised her two sons, Jeff and Jonathan while serving as office manager at major automobile dealerships in Hollister. Her grandson Mark is her special joy and often is her date for movies and other sporting events.
Members of the Cattlewomen’s Association congratulated Cabral on her selection as the 2012 San Benito County Cattlewoman of the Year, in a press release, and said she is an asset to the group.
