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By Rhonda Hole
Equine industry visionary Patti Colbert sported one of many elaborately decorated Western blazers.
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By Rhonda Hole
American West photographer Laura Wilson was a 2019 honoree.
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By Rhonda Hole
A total of 1,200 guests gathered at Dickies Arena for the 44th National Cowgirl Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon.
Cowboy hats, turquoise jewelry, fur, rhinestones and statement cowboy boots dominated the couture among 1,200 guests Nov. 13 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Cowgirls from around the world and right here in Fort Worth — along with the cowboys who support them — gathered to celebrate five women inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
Presented by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, this year marks the 44th annual luncheon to mark the occasion, and it’s the first to be held on the ground floor of the cavernous Dickies Arena.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame’s mission statement says its goal is to “honor and celebrate women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West, and foster an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire.”
The Hall of Fame honorees come from all walks of life and all over the country, including homegrown Fort Worth athlete, businesswoman, cutting horse champion and philanthropist Stacie Dieb McDavid. Navy Rear Admiral (retired) Christina Alvarado Shanahan — a nurse, naval officer and Paint Horse world champion — is from Raleigh, North Carolina. Compton, California, community builder Mayisha Akbar started nonprofit Compton Jr. Posse to introduce inner-city youth to horses. South Texas rancher and photographer Janell Kleberg has published a photography book about life on King Ranch, advocated for education in her area and has supported conservation efforts for her region’s ecosystems. And Laura Wilson, noted photographer of the American West, lives in Dallas and has captured photos for internationally acclaimed publications and her five photography books about the West.
Deborah Ferguson, NBC 5 anchor, hosted and introduced speakers such as Mayor Betsy Price and philanthropist Alice Walton, the latter on hand to unveil the Alice Walton Cowgirl Park, located beside the Cowgirl Museum bordering Dickies Arena. Robin Hutton, author of “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse,” received the inaugural Sergeant Reckless Award, named after the decorated Korean War equine veteran named Sergeant Reckless. A brand-new stature of the famous warhorse is located in the Alice Walton Cowgirl Park.
During one three-minute interlude, more than $398,000 was raised for the museum’s education and outreach efforts.
Each woman honored this year shared what the honor means to them. Akbar said the induction will be inspiring to the young women she’s influenced through her organization.
“Of all the honors I have received over the years, this is the most touching, the most powerful, to be amongst so many wonderful and embracing women,” Akbar said. “We love making our young women powerful, and giving them role models and mentorship, growing to become even more powerful than we have been in the past.”
McDavid thanked her husband, David, and also her horses—both the ones she owns now and those that have passed away—for helping her achieve so much in her life.
“This is a few of my supporting cast, and these are a few of our horses,” McDavid said. “They have taught me humility and respect, and have helped me cope with some of life’s most difficult situations.”
You can watch the 2019 Cowgirl Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the Cowboy Channel Sunday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. CST; and Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. More info on the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame at cowgirl.net.
