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Dignitaries headline National Cowgirl Museum grand opening |
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By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition |
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June 13, 2002 -- After years of planning, fundraising and anticipation the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrated its grand opening in Fort Worth, June 7-9. The opening kicked off with the induction of United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as well as Governor Rick Perry were among the dignitaries on hand to lend support to the new museum. "What a special pleasure to have someone of the stature of Justice O'Connor to be here and make this the absolutely perfect event," stated Hutchison. "The wonderful thing about Justice O'Connor is the cowgirl grit, determination and spirit that is so much a part of her." Following Sen. Hutchison's speech Justice O'Connor was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. "It is such a thrill to be here today and have the privilege of seeing this magnificent new museum," said O'Connor. "It is such an honor to be made a member of this group of cowgirls. It is wonderful to be the first woman on the Supreme Court, but it will be even better when we get the second cowgirl on the Supreme Court!" The museum was started in 1975, in the basement of the Deaf Smith County Library in Hereford and moved to Fort Worth in 1994. The $21 million National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame serves as the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West and is part of Fort Worth's new Western Heritage Center. The museum features artifacts and information on over 400 women and the hall of fame currently has 158 honorees. For more information on the museum and hall of fame visit www.cowgirl.net. |
