One has to look no further than the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth for inspiring role models of women who didn't let anything or anyone hold them back. Each of the 207 honorees in the Hall of Fame -- whether she became a doctor, business entrepreneur, artist, writer, rancher or even a Supreme Court Justice like Sandra Day O'Connor -- achieved amazing accomplishments despite formidable obstacles.
The Cowgirl is the only museum in the world that honors and celebrates these women, past and present, whose lives have exemplified the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the American West and in turn, changed the world. More are honored each year, fostering an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance that these women inspire.Each honoree forged an identity that pushed frontiers forward -- in literature, music, art, science, politics, sports, business, ranching and education. We call that invincible, can-do attitude "the spirit of the cowgirl."Yes, the women who first embodied that spirit were trick riders and bull riders, but you will discover that the honorees are role models for all women. The late Dale Evans (a 1995 Hall of Fame honoree for whom we recently celebrated her 100th birthday) said it best:"Cowgirl is an attitude, really. A pioneer spirit, a special American brand of courage. The cowgirl faces life head on, lives by her own lights, and makes no excuses. Cowgirls take stands, they speak up. They defend things they hold dear."This month marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of our beautiful home of the Cowgirl Museum, but its history didn't begin in Fort Worth; it got its start in 1975 in the Texas Panhandle community of Hereford by another visionary, Margaret Formby. The daughter of a rancher, she had collected memorabilia dating from the mid-1800s -- photographs and artifacts of female pioneers, artists, writers, tribal leaders and rodeo cowgirls. She wanted to share her collection with the world and decided to search for a larger, better-traveled venue.After considering 35 cities in six states, Formby chose to entrust Fort Worth with her priceless lifelong collection in 1993. Many civic, community and business leaders in Fort Worth had joined together to convince her that Fort Worth was the ideal relocation for the museum.Operating in downtown Fort Worth, the Cowgirl's board of directors and staff planned, raised funds and built a 33,000-square-foot home that opened in June 2002 in the city's Cultural District at 1720 Gendy St.Thanks to many generous donors, this legacy of legends has become an invaluable resource nationally known for its incomparable collection of cowgirl artifacts, interactive exhibits, research library, award-winning education and distance-learning program, rare photograph collection and unique gift shop. It has become one of our community's significant educational, cultural and economic assets, serving thousands of residents and visitors of all ages and from all over the world annually.In honor of our anniversary, admission has been rolled back to only $5 for the rest of the year.Come on in! Behind every artifact lies a story of a dream realized, a barrier broken and a life examined. Discover the spirit of the cowgirl within you!Pat Riley is executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. www.cowgirl.netHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
