Hall of Fame cowgirls bring a historical past

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

Each table at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame induction luncheon featured elaborate center pieces provided by sponsors of the event. The fresh flower cowgirl was the creation of HEB's Central Market. -Staff photo by Briskin

November 15, 2001 -- As anticipation surrounding the opening of the new National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth increases, five new members were inducted into its Hall of Fame on Nov. 9. Three of the inductees were present at the 26th annual luncheon; Carol Rose of Gainesville, Texas; and the mother-/daughter team of Mollie Stevenson, Sr. and Mollie Stevenson, Jr. of Houston.

Evelyn Cameron of Montana and Florence LaDue of Alberta, Canada, both deceased, were also inducted. In addition to the Hall of Fame inductions, Sheila Welch of Rotan, Texas was awarded the Fern Sawyer Award for outstanding contributions in the preservation of western heritage.

After being presented with the Fern Sawyer Award, Sheila Welch addressed the crowd. "This is quite an honor. I knew Fern, but not as well as I would have liked," she stated. "She was a hell of a cowgirl. She was authentic and never misrepresented herself."

According to Welch the two hardest things to find in the world is a real good horse and a real good husband. "I've got both," she said. "In reflecting on Fern's life it has allowed me to see how lucky I have been to be a part of this western way of life."

Florence LaDue and Evelyn Cam-eron were both honored next. According to her biography, LaDue was the greatest woman trick and fancy roper of all time. In 1905 she left her home in Minnesota to perform with Cummins Wild West. Her husband Guy Weadick, whom she met on the Wild West Circuit, taught her the art of trick and fancy roping.

Not only did LaDue perform on stage she was a champion in the competitive arena as well. In 1912 she won the Ladies Trick and Fancy Roping Championship at the Calgary Stampede.

LaDue performed and competed for more than 31 years before retiring with her husband to their ranch in Alberta, Canada where she died in 1951.

Mollie Stevenson Sr. (seated) and Mollie Stevenson Jr. were the first living African-American inductees in the Hall of Fame. Their family has been ranching in Texas for seven generations. -Staff photo by Briskin

Cameron, originally from England, arrived in Montana in 1889 on honeymoon with her husband. According to her biography, they fell in love with the land and stayed. She is known for taking some of the earliest photographs made of western birds in their native habitat. In addition, when she passed away she left behind 35 years of diaries filled with the details of early ranch life.

The next two inductees were the first two living African-Americans inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. According to the video biography presentation at the ceremony Mollie Stevenson, Sr. and Mollie Stevenson, Jr's ranch sits square within the city limits of Houston.

Their ranch is one of the oldest black-owned ranches in the United States. It is designated as a Texas Century Ranch for being in continuous operation by the same family for over 100 years. Today seven generations reside on the ranch, which is the home to the second oldest oil field in Texas.

The Stevensons founded the American Cowboy Museum where visitors can learn about African-American, Hispanic and Native American contributions to to the history and culture of the West. The two participate in community outreach education through schools and agricultural groups. They have been honored as Living Legends by the Black Go Texan Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Landowners of Texas and the Professional Black Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Stevenson, Sr. addressed the crowd following the video presentation. "I just want to thank my family," she said. "I am so happy to be here and I thank everyone that had anything to do with this nomination."

Stevenson, Jr. followed her mother to the podium and spoke about the importance of their induction for all African-Americans. "We have broken the barrier," she said, "as the first living African-Americans inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame."

Carol Rose was the final inductee honored at the luncheon. According to her biography, Rose has been one of the world's leading breeders and exhibitors of Quarter Horses in reining, cutting, roping and reined cowhorse throughout the past three decades.

Rose was the first woman inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Hall of Fame and the first woman finalist in the NCHA Futurity. She has owned 20 of the American Quarter Horse Association World Champions and has bred 15 of the AQHA World Champions and 16 of the AQHA Reserve World Champions.

"All the awards that I have won, I have not won by myself," said Rose. "I have a tremendous supporting cast and have had all my life. I would be amiss if I did not thank them all."

The final presentation of the afternoon was a surprise announcement by Edward Bass. "One great woman stands out and we have yet to honor her today," he said. "The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame building will forever be known as the Nancy Lee Bass Cowgirl Hall."

"The museum, when it opens next summer will explore what it is that makes a cowgirl. It is not the costume, not the occupation, not the tricks or the trappings; it is the cowgirl spirit that defines the cowgirls," said Bass.

Patricia Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame said that there is no way to measure what the Bass family has contributed to cultural life in Texas. "We are extremely grateful to be a beneficiary of Mr. and Mrs. Bass' generosity," she said. "We are also proud that our museum, which honors extraordinary women, will forever bear the name of the extraordinary Nancy Lee Bass."