The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame will add eight new honorees to its Hall of Fame during the 36th annual Induction Luncheon ceremony on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Round Up Inn.
Inductees this year include Sarah “Sally” Buxkemper, known for her work in refining cattle pedigrees; Sandy Collier, a National Reined Cow Horse Association World Champion; Mary Lou LeCompte, an author and professor; Anna Mebus Martin, the first female bank president in the United states; Marie Gibson (deceased), an early women’s rodeo star and bronc riding world champion; Mary Emma Manning Lillie “May Lillie”, a sharpshooter and co-founder of Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show with her husband, Pawnee Bill; Pauline Nesbitt , 1938 Trick and Fancy Riding World Champion; and Eloise “Fox Hastings” Wilson “, a multitalented rodeo cowgirl of the 1920’s.
This group of inductees will push the number of women in the Hall of Fame to over 200. “Our eight inductees truly exemplify our motto, The Women Who Shape the West… Change the World” said Pat Riley, Executive Director.
In addition to recognizing these eight exemplary women, the Museum will honor Patti Colbert, Executive Director of the Mustang Heritage Foundation, with the Fern Sawyer Award. This award, created in 1994 as a tribute to 1976 Honoree Fern Sawyer, is presented to someone whose tireless dedication has contributed to the advancement of the Museum.
The Induction Luncheon will be held at the Round Up Inn, located inside the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, located across the street from the Museum.
The festivities will begin at 10:00 AM with shopping at 18 unique vendor booths, followed by a Champagne and Wine Reception as well as viewing of the 90 exquisite western themed table centerpieces. Lunch will begin at noon and entertainer Red Steagall will be the emcee.
We are honored to have former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor address the gathering. She also will be present for the Museum’s opening of its newest exhibition, The Cowgirl Who Became a Justice: Sandra Day O’Connor. This exhibit opens October 27 and will run through March 25, 2012. Tickets for the luncheon are available at $125 by calling 817-336-4475.
About the national Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame:
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (www.cowgirl.net) is the only museum in the world that is dedicated to honoring and celebrating women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West.
Fostering an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance that the cowgirls inspire, the museum is considered an invaluable national educational resource for its exhibits, research library, rare photograph collection, and award-winning distance-learning programs for grades K-12, and adults.
The museum also has an award winning gift shop. Established in 1975 in Hereford, Texas, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame moved to Fort Worth in 1994 and into their stunning 33,000 square foot building in 2002 in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District.