Famed cowgirls inducted
Texan among those honored at Nat'l Cowgirl Hall of Fame luncheon

By JULIET BRISKIN | Staff writer

At the Nov. 14 luncheon were inductees (from left) Glenna Goodacre, Sheila Varian, Ann Secrest Hanson, and accepting for her mother Velda Tindall Smith, Garlene Parris. -- Photo by Rhonda Hole

December 11, 2003 -- Once a year cowgirls from across the United States gather to honor exceptional women whose lives and personalities embody the spirit and determination of the American West.

On Nov. 14, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth held its 28th annual induction luncheon at the Amon Carter Exhibits Hall in the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The four women inducted into the Museum's Hall of Fame for 2003 were Sheila Varian of California, a champion horsewoman and internationally-known breeder of Arabians; Glenna Goodacre of New Mexico, an award-winning sculptor; Ann Secrest Hanson of Montana, one of the first female pick-up riders, and a poet, musician and author; and Velda Tindall Smith (deceased) of Texas, a trick rider and one of the founders of the Texas Barrel Racing Association.

"Our mission is to honor and document the lives of these extraordinary women," explained Susan Fine, director of membership and communications for the Museum and Hall of Fame. "When you come to an event like the induction ceremony and see what each of these women have accomplished and hear them tell their life stories you can't help but feel empowered."

This year's event kicked off with a champagne reception and the traditional viewing of the table centerpieces. This tradition, which began in 1994 when the museum moved to Fort Worth, showcases Western-themed centerpieces created by designers from all over Texas. The unique and sometimes daring displays are a much anticipated aspect of this annual celebration and serve as testaments to the one-of-a-kind spirit each inductee possesses.

Following lunch, Master of Ceremonies Red Steagall presented the Fern Sawyer Award to Van A. Romans, director of cultural affairs for Walt Disney Imagineering. Romans is only the fourth recipient of this award since it was established in 1994 as a tribute to 1976 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Honoree Fern Sawyer.

"This award was named for the woman who set the standard for the American cowgirl," Steagall stated. "The late Fern Sawyer of New Mexico won many cutting horse championships, helped to establish the National Cutting Horse Association and for many years held the distinction of being the only woman inducted into the Cutting Horse Hall of Fame."

The Fern Sawyer Award was created to recognize an individual or organization that has worked toward and contributed to the advancement of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. "As the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame took shape, Van was there to share his vast design experience and anticipate the needs and expectations of its visitors," said Steagall. "Largely thanks to Van the museum has achieved its goal of being an exciting and living tribute to the cowgirls of yesterday and today."

In his address to the crowd, Romans explained that when he arrived in Fort Worth to begin work on the new museum, he was a bit apprehensive, but what he found was "a wonderful world beyond what he ever could have imagined."

Through this project "I discovered great stories of women who made an everlasting contribution to the country through hard work and sacrifice," stated Romans. "These cowgirls and this museum possesses a spirit that combines a desire for independence with a respect for tradition. It is a spirit that is pioneering, steadfast, dynamic and strong."

The afternoon wrapped up with the induction of the 2003 honorees. Each of the four women inducted this year are "really just ordinary women who have done extraordinary things with their lives," stated Fine. "It truly is inspiring, but whether or not someone is inducted into the Hall of Fame it is so important for us to understand the accomplishments of the women of the West."