Florence Hughes Randolph
DOB : Jun 1898 Augusta, Georgia
DOD : Apr 1971 Carter County, Oklahoma

Year Inducted: 1994

Florence Hughes Randolph
One of early rodeo's illustrious female champions, Florence was born Cleo Alberta Holmes at Augusta, Georgia in 1898. Her daddy preferred the name Florence, the name she used her entire life. During the time Florence performed, she weighed only ninety pounds and was only four feet six inches tall. She was the first and only woman to master turning a backwards somersault from one horse to another

Ten time World Champion Cowgirl Trick Rider and World Champion Bronc Rider, Florence made more than 500 rodeo appearances - bronc riding, trick roping, trick riding and roman riding. A petite woman, Florence was 13 before she learned to ride a horse and taught herself stunt riding. She worked in wild west shows, raced motorcycles, doubled for movie stars and produced her own Wild West show, "Princess Mohawk's Wild West Hippodrome."

In 1971 Randolph told an interviewer somewhat proudly: "I've been carried off for dead several times." She was actually pronounced dead in the arena in 1923. Following another rodeo accident several years later she was rushed to the hospital, where she awoke to hear the doctor say that if she lived, she would never walk again. Alarmed, she jumped from the bed and fled the building clad only in a sheet! Article written by Sharon K. Hunt, Cowgirl Art

Florence won the coverted Metro Goldwyn Mayer Trophy
Made by Lambert Brother's Jewelers, 1927

This was the most prestigious and valuable trophy made for female rodeo contenders, this extravagant silver piece was commissioned by the Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studio in 1927 at a cost of $10,000. Honoring "Champion Cowgirls" at the Madison Square Garden World Series Rodeo, the coveted trophy was won by Florence Randolph in 1927.

Bonnie McCarroll

(1897-1929)

Year Inducted: 2006

Home State: ID

This a champion bronc rider, made rodeo history in 1922 by winning the cowgirl bronc riding championship at the two most prestigious rodeos in the nation, Cheyenne Frontier Days and the first Madison Square Garden Rodeo. One of the most famous rodeo snapshots ever taken is of Bonnie being thrown from a horse named Silver at the Pendleton Round-Up in 1915. Already an accomplished rodeo performer, McCarroll dazzled kings, queens, dignitaries, an American president and countless rodeo fans across the world. Her tragic death at the 1929 Pendleton Round-Up changed the face of women's rodeo when rodeo officials began exercising more scrutiny on rules and regulations for women in bronc riding.

Anna Lee Aldred

(4/19/1921-6/12/2006)

Year Inducted: 1983

Home State: CO

Anna, the daughter of a race-horse trainer, began riding at three and was racing ponies at six. By 12, she rode flat and relay races. She obtained her jockey's license at 18, making her the first woman jockey in the U.S. A fierce competitor, Anna retired from racing in 1944 and started a riding school in California. One year later, she began trick riding, performing in major rodeo shows throughout the western states.

Tillie Baldwin

(1888-1958)

Year Inducted: 2000

Home State:

Tillie was an all-around athlete when she emigrated to America from Norway and, inspired by seeing a cowgirl movie being filmed, learned trick riding. Soon working for Captain Baldwin's Wild West Show, she later joined Will Rogers' vaudeville troupe and then the 101 Ranch. She began to rodeo in 1912 and excelled at all rodeo events. Tillie was the first woman to win a roman race and possibly the first woman to try bulldogging

Mary Ellen (Dude) Barton

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: TX

Dude's life is characterized by her work on the family ranch and her rodeo successes. Many times competing against men in rodeo events, Dude proved that she could compete on equal terms with anybody and win. She served as the first vice-president of the GRA and promoted standardized rules and prize money. Dude purchased her old home farm from her parents and settled down to work the land settled by her grandparents

Nancy Binford

(1921-1998)

Year Inducted: 1979

Home State: TX

Nancy Binford, one of the country's premier horsewomen, won many horse shows, races, and cutting horse championships, but she will be best remembered as co-producer, with Thena Mae Farr, of the Tri-State All Girl Rodeos. Really "all-girl" from the contestants down to the judges, clowns and staff, they created opportunities for rodeo women not found in any other venue. Nancy also helped organize the fledgling GRA and served one term as president.

Photograph on right: Thena Mae Farr and Nancy Binford.

Thena Mae Farr

(1927-1985)

Year Inducted: 1985

Home State: TX

Thena Mae used the ranching skills she learned growing up to compete in every rodeo event from barrel racing to bronc riding. But her real fame came as she, with her partner Nancy Binford, made history with their creation of the 1947 Tri-State All Girl Rodeo. A pioneer of women's professional rodeo, Thena Mae served as president of the GRA before retiring to the family ranch where she received recognition for ranching and community service.

Bertha Blancett

(1883-1979)

Year Inducted: 1999

Home State: CA

A pioneer in women's rodeo competition, Bertha was the first woman to ride broncs at Cheyenne, marking the start of women competing in rodeos. Making a name for herself as a bronc rider, she joined several wild west shows, including the 101 Ranch Show, where she married Del Blanchett. Bertha moved to California where, with her husband, she worked in films under contract to Bison Pictures. Between movies, she competed at rodeo venues

Lindy Burch

Year Inducted: 1997

Home State: TX

Lindy holds the distinction of being the first woman to win the NCHA Futurity, and she set a record score while doing it. She was also the first female president of the NCHA. Lindy was raised riding horses but did not see her first cutting event until she was 14. Now a respected horse trainer and cutting champion, she promotes cutting internationally through clinics and competitions.
Accomplishments:

First woman to win the NCHA Futurity

First female NCHA Open World Champion

National Cowgirls Hall of Fame

NCHA Riders Hall of Fame

Holds All-Time High-Point Record for NCHA World Championship Finals

Campaigned NCHA Hall of Fame Horse 2000 World Champion Bet Yer Blue Boons

#11 All-Time NCHA Money Earner with $2.4 million

syndicate manager Lindy Burch for
Bet On Me 498's (Smart Little Lena x Bet Yer Blue Boons )
Two years ago, Bet Your Blue Boons set a record with a 233-point performance at the NCHA World Finals. Yesterday, she won the World Finals, the Open World Championship, and broke another record for her rider, Lindy Burch, who became the first female rider to win the NCHA Open World Championship. “She's such a great mare and she's proved it over and over,” said Burch, who trained the 11-year-old mare for owner Oxbow Ranch. “If any horse deserved it, she did and I was just hoping I could get her to place.” Bet Yer Blue Boons has earned over $300,000 under Burch and was inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame last December at the NCHA Futurity

Wanda Harper Bush

Year Inducted: 1978

Home State: TX

The 150-year-old Harper Ranch is home for Wanda. Here, like her ancestors, she raises livestock and trains horses. Instrumental in the organization of the GRA, Wanda has been one of its most awarded champions, winning thirty-three World Championships, including three All-Around titles. Curtailing rodeo activities, Wanda turned to raising horses and established herself as one of the premier horse trainers, garnering praise for both her horse skills and training clinics

Mildred Douglas Chrisman

(1895-1983)

Year Inducted: 1988

Home State: OK

Mildred left an east coast finishing school and went west to join the101 Ranch Wild West show, beginning a colorful career that included winning the World Champion Girl Bronc Rider title twice and acting in silent movies with Tom Mix. A versatile performer, Mildred was skilled in trick-riding, trick-shooting and training performing animals. After retiring, Mildred became a nurse and eventually opened her own museum dedicated to her cowgirl life.

Gene Krieg Creed

(1909-1993)

Year Inducted: 1982

Home State: CO

In 1925, Gene became the youngest woman ever to win the bronc riding at Cheyenne. She and her sister Vaughn learned to ride before they were five and were soon helping their brothers break wild horses and pursue stray cattle on the family's Colorado ranch. One of the best cowgirls around, Gene won trick riding, relay races and bronc riding championships in a career spanning three decades and three continents

Kathy Daughn

Year Inducted: 2002

Home State: CA

Growing up in San Francisco, Kathy learned to ride on horses rented by the hour and volunteered at the Golden Gate Park stables. Eventually, she began riding and showing hunter-jumpers before moving to Texas where she learned to train and ride cutting horses. Making her mark in the cutting arena, she is the only woman to win two championship titles and is one of the top cutting horse competitors in the country. Her success in the arena is only amplified by her talent as a trainer and leadership in the National Cutting Horse Association.

Wantha Davis

Year Inducted: 2004

Home State: KS

Wantha Davis loved to race horses – and to win. From the Great Depression through the 1950s, Wantha won more than 1,000 races, mostly competing against male jockeys. At the time she was referred to by many major sports writers as one of the finest jockeys in the country.

Wantha rode primarily at quarter horse meets, county fairs and small bush tracks in the West and Midwest. In those days women were not allowed to compete at major tracks, but she was the first woman to compete at a pari-mutuel track. Throughout her career Wantha applied for a jockey's license, but was turned away by most state racing commissions. It would be another 20 years before women were allowed to race on major US tracks.

Yet Wantha won a historic race in 1949 at the Aqua Caliente track in Tijuana, Mexico. She competed in an exhibition match against Racing Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Longden, the top male jockey of the time with three national championships to his name.

Organizers of the race offered Wantha a 5-pound weight advantage simply because she was a woman, but Wantha refused. She preferred to compete on equal terms with the world's most successful rider. She beat Longden out of the gate, and he could never quite catch up. Wantha won by 1 3/4 lengths.

“I wasn't scared,” said Wantha. “When you're on a horse, you don't have time to think about your nerves.”

Four months later Wantha beat Racing Hall of Fame jockey Jackie Westrope at the same Tijuana track, securing her reputation as an outstanding jockey – male or female. At the time a San Diego reporter commented that “…even the most calloused skeptics … are acknowledging she has what it takes.”

Wantha was one of the first jockeys to use many of the sophisticated riding techniques now widely favored by some of the world's best jockeys. Referred to as a “hand rider,” Wantha rode with a whip but preferred gentle coaxing -- whispering to the horse in its ear and only shaking the stick if she needed an extra kick.

“She had the unique gift of recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of horses and was able to use this knowledge to win races,” said her son, Dr. Tad Davis.

At 39, Wantha headed for her family's 850-acre ranch, breaking colts and raising cattle. When her husband died, Wantha remained on the ranch alone, venturing out even in winter to chop ice for the cattle or deliver a calf
Wantha never set out to fight for women's rights; she just wanted to compete at the big tracks. A true pioneer of horse racing, she paved the way for female jockeys of today.

Jewel Frost Duncan

(1902-1984)

Year Inducted: 1976

Home State: TX

Jewel grew up on a West Texas ranch, learning to rope as part of the work. She began to rope against men in local contests, becoming the first woman to compete at the Pecos rodeo in 1929, and was rodeo queen there in 1935. Jewel, with her friend Isora DeRacy Young promoted themselves as the only two cowgirl calf ropers in the world competing against cowboys at a time when there were no women's roping contests

Marie Keen Gress

(1914-2001)

Year Inducted: 1997

Home State: CO

For more than 16 years during the 1930's and 1940s, Marie crisscrossed the country as a trick rider, steer wrestler, bronc rider and performer in rodeos, circuses and wild west shows. She began her career as a trick rider with the 101 Ranch Show at 15. An innovative rider, she soon became a rodeo star, receiving billing with Gene Autry, Tad Lucas and Alice Sisty. Marie is considered a trailblazer for women in the steer wrestling event.

Helen Groves

Year Inducted: 1998

Home State: TX

Raised on the legendary King Ranch, it seemed natural for Helen to become an ambassador for the equine industry. Over the years she has become known as the "first lady of cutting," spending more than two decades breeding, raising and riding cutting horses on her ranch while competing at almost every major show. Helen has also established herself as a major presence in breeding and racing Thoroughbreds and a leading supporter of equine research.

Margie Roberts Hart

(1916-1982)

Year Inducted: 1987

Home State: KS

One of the top women bronc riders from the 1930s through the 1950s, Margie broke horses for her father and neighbors while still in grade school. Her ability to ride rough stock led to winning the Ladies Bronc Riding Championship at Cheyenne in 1941 and a career as a trick rider. Retiring from rodeo, Margie worked with horses much of the rest of her life. She was also an accomplished artist.

Margie Greenough Henson

(1908-2004)

Year Inducted: 1978

Home State: AZ

Margie began her rodeo career in 1929 with Jack King's Wild West Rodeo. Growing up on a working ranch where Margie, and her seven siblings, learned to ride and rope as part of the daily chores, she became a champion bronc rider. Known as one of the "Riding Greenoughs," Margie went on to rodeo and ride exhibitions in almost every state and for almost every big rodeo, usually being the only female bronc rider

Alice Adams Holden

(1907-1994)

Year Inducted: 1983

Home State: OK

Once riding 27 broncs in one day, she was billed as the girl who could ride anything on four feet. Alice, riding since the age of five, had a rodeo career spanning 30 years and included bronc riding championships in the U.S. and Cuba. Retiring from event participation, she served in administrative roles for rodeos until leaving to run a ranch with her husband. She later became an accomplished organist and worked for the Oklahoma Democratic party

Jonnie Jonckowski

Year Inducted: 1991

Home State: MT

Jonnie's competitive spirit helped her overcome many barriers to become a two-time world champion bull rider, but she also eliminated these same barriers for the women who followed her. Many arenas began to allow women to ride rough stock for the first time since the 1930s. An athlete her entire life, Jonnie tried bull riding for fun but found the sport could give her the challenge she desired.

Kathy Kennedy

(1956-1981)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: TX

Like her father and grandfather, Kathy was a roper. From early childhood, she dreamed of becoming the world's best woman roper. Kathy won her first rodeo event, team roping, at 14 and was the only female competitor. She won her first world title in 1977. Before her career was cut short by cancer, Kathy became a major competitor in the professional ranks of the GRA, where she worked all the roping events

Bobby Brooks Kramer

(1913-2005)

Year Inducted: 2000

Home State: MT

For the last six decades, Bobby has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the horse industry in Montana. Riding since she was three, Bobby has carried on the ranching traditions of her parents and grandparents. She and her husband formed the Hanging Diamond A horse ranch after both pursued notable rodeo careers. Bobby still produces award-winning horses in cutting, trail, reining and pleasure riding.

Ann Lewis

(1958-1968)

Year Inducted: 1981

Home State: OK

In 1968, Ann was the youngest Barrel Racing Champion in WPRA history. Ann began running barrels before she started kindergarten, placing in her first open when she was five. Ann, and her twin sister, got their first barrel horse when they were seven. When Ann was eight she was one of the youngest IPRA members and consistently outran more experienced racers. Called "Annie the Okie," she held a substantial lead in competition when a car accident ended her career that she won the GRA barrelracing championship posthumously.

Vera McGinnis (Farra)

(1895-1990)

Year Inducted: 1979

Home State: CA

Unlike many of her peers, Vera was not born on a ranch, but her athletic ability made her a natural when she discovered the rodeo. Beginning her career as an impromptu relay rider, she soon added trick riding, bronc and bull riding and Roman racing, winning at all events. A celebrated rider, Vera's most famous trick was the under-the-belly crawl at full speed. Touring with rodeo shows, she performed in Canada, Europe, Asia and the U.S.

Sherri Mell

Year Inducted: 2004

Home State: CA

Sherri Mell was truly born a cowgirl. In fact, her mother put her on a horse the day she came home from the hospital! By 19 months Sherri won her first rodeo trophy – “Best Appearing Cowgirl.”

Born on a cattle ranch in California, Sherri has rodeo in her blood. Her father was a profession calf roper, and her mother won national barrel racing titles well into her 60s and still wins many team-roping events – often with Sherri as her partner.

Sherri began competing in junior rodeos at age 4 and has never tired of the challenges and thrills of the arena. At 13 she won her first saddle, and over the next 30 plus years she has claimed wins in a number of rodeo events.

While many cowgirls specialize in just one or two key rodeo events, Sherri enters and often wins an array of rodeo and horse show competitions: keyhole and steer daubing, tie-down calf roping, steer undecorating, breakaway roping, team roping, cutting, stock horse, jumping, rope race reining, Western riding, English pleasure, figure eight, hunter over the fences, hunter back, barrels and poles. In fact, on one day Sherri might be calf roping in her cowboy boots and hat, and the same day, often on the same horse, she'll wear dress boots and a hunt cap for English jumping.

But Sherri is best known for her success as a calf roper. She is the only woman to win a championship at the National and World shows in calf roping – an event dominated by men. Since 1990 she has led the nation in non-pro calf roping. She's also the first woman to win a National Finals Rodeo Championship title riding an Appaloosa, her only mount.

Sherri has won more than 100 world and national rodeo and horse show competition titles, and has competed in 24 consecutive Women's National Finals rodeos and 21 World Championship Appaloosa horse shows.

But Sherri's successes are not limited to the arena. She has taught physical education at a San Antonio elementary school, earning the Teacher of the Year in 1996. She was also nominated as San Antonio's Hometown Hero in 2000 for her work with youth.

As a Special Olympic volunteer for 11 years, Sherri coaches kids and adults in a number of rodeo events, as well as track, basketball and bowling. She also serves as the only Equestrian Coordinator for the Inner-City Games All Star Program, which provides after school and summer activities for inner-city students. And she has established two organizations to introduce horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities.

“I am proud to be a cowgirl and have been blessed by God to be able to share my horses and knowledge with those that are not so fortunate,” says Sherri.

Lucille Mulhall

(1885-1940)

Year Inducted: 1977

Home State: OK

Called "the world's first cowgirl" by Will Rogers, Lucille was the best known western performer of her era. Learning to ride and rope on the family's Oklahoma ranch, she began her career performing in her father's Wild West show and became one of the earliest, and most accomplished riding and roping champions. Competing with, and frequently beating, male competitors in steer roping events, Lucille helped make women an integral part of rodeo.

Mary Jo Milner

Year Inducted: 2004

Home State: NM

From an early age Mary Jo Milner learned to ride a horse, move a herd of cattle and milk a cow. But mostly she learned the hallmarks of the ranching heritage: hardwork, loyalty, integrity and love of family.

“Daddy taught me to respect and work with a horse,” recalls Mary Jo. At 10 Mary Jo was very active in the local 4-H Club and raised steers to show and sell. Valedictorian of both her middle school and high school, Mary Jo was voted “most likely to succeed” her senior year.

Mary Jo married her high school sweetheart, Jim Milner. Jim worked with Mary Jo's dad at his feed yard, raising cattle. She helped to move the herd between pastures, foreshadowing her success with cutting horses.

After the couple moved to Fort Worth, Jim purchased his second cutting horse in 1972, but he and the horse just didn't click -- an important aspect of cutting. The horse's trainer suggested that Mary Jo show the horse instead.

“I'd missed our roots so badly that when I started showing cutting horses it fulfilled a part of me that was missing,” recalls Mary Jo. “I'm like one of those border collies that just loved working the cattle.”

Experiencing success from the get go, the Milner's horses won every title they entered that year in North Texas Cutting Horse Association events.

Winning her first NCHA Non Pro World Championship in 1981, Mary Jo went on to win an unprecedented six NCHA Non-Pro World Championships – including four consecutive wins in 2000 through 2003. Mary Jo won The Super Stakes this year, her first championship in NCHA-Aged events. Over the past 32 years Mary Jo has amassed a career record of championships, reserve championships and top-ten finishes that is unmatched by any NCHA non-professional rider – male or female. In turn she has set many earnings records in the NCHA. Mary Jo also breeds winning cutting horses with her husband.

Mary Jo approaches the sport of cutting on a variety of levels: physical, intellectual and especially spiritual. A devote Christian, she relies heavily on prayer to mentally prepare for a competition.

“A oneness with nature is kind of like a oneness with God,” explains Mary Jo.

Mary Jo helped establish the NCHA Charities Foundation in 1982. The Foundation provides college scholarships to NCHA youth and helps NCHA members in times of need.

Just like her grandfather and father before her, Mary Jo has passed her love of nature on to her children and grandchildren.

“Family is what it's all about,” stresses Mary Jo. “If my family wasn't with me, it might be different. But they like cutting too. And as long as they're with me, I'm not ready to go home.”

Alice Greenough Orr

(1902-1995)

Year Inducted: 1975

Home State: AZ

Growing up on a working ranch, Alice's rodeo life began with Jack King's Wild West Show riding saddle broncs, though she also did trick riding and occasionally rode bulls. Alice became an international rodeo star, performing in 46 states, Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, England, and Australia and winning four World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider titles. One of the "Riding Greenoughs," Alice formed her own rodeo business and featured the first women's barrel racing events.

Ollie Osborn

(1896-1989)

Year Inducted: 1982

Home State: OR

Ollie was the first woman to pursue the sport of rodeo full time and be a constant champion. Born to Oregon homestead ranchers, she began competing in the early relay races when she was a teenager. But she discovered bronc riding and made a name for herself by riding "slick," without hobbles, like the men. Remembered for her daring rides and extravagant tailor-made clothes, she continued to ride until 1932

Margaret Owens

(1922-1955)

Year Inducted: 1976

Home State: TX

Margaret helped found the GRA and served as the organization's first president. Living on a ranch her entire life, she was an excellent horsewoman who rode in rodeos at a time when there were no events for women. Many times she would compete in match roping events after a show. A champion roper, she was among the first women to compete in roping at Pecos, Texas. Margaret actively promoted rodeo, helping with amateur and professional all girl rodeos

Mary Parks

(1910-1997)

Year Inducted: 1979

Home State: CO

Mary began riding when she was big enough to sit in the saddle. She and her mother broke horses on their Colorado ranch, while her father ran a mercantile in town. She began riding in local rodeos, soon leaving the ranch to begin a career as a celebrated saddle bronc rider. She married Bill Parks and crisscrossed the continent, competing in rodeos in every state, Mexico, Canada and Cuba. "Retiring" in 1948, Mary continued to ride in quadrilles and barrel race

Lulu Bell Parr

(1876-1955)

Year Inducted: 2005

Home State: Ohio

Lulu Bell Parr, an independent and spirited wild west performer thrilled audiences all across the world during her reign as the “Champion Lady Bucking Horse Rider of the World.” She rode in some of the most famous Wild West shows of the last century.

Lulu was born on November 14, 1876 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lulu's parents divorced when she was a young girl and her father took her west with him. When Lulu was 16, she returned to Steubenville, OH, to live with her mother. There she married George Barrett in March 1896 but divorced him in May 1902. From there her wild west adventure begins.

She joined the Pawnee Bill Wild West Show in 1903 and remained with them until 1907. She became famous for her bronc riding skills but demonstrated other talents such as trick riding, sharp shooting and buffalo riding. In 1908, she joined the Col. F.T. Cummings-Brighten Tour for a European trip. While touring in England, she performed for King Edward VII. Back in the United States, she performed with the joint Pawnee Bill/Buffalo Bill Show and stayed with them until 1913. She also performed with the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Wild West Show during that time.

After the 1913 season, Lulu traveled to South America with the 101 Ranch and the Pawnee Bill/Buffalo Bill troupes. Argentina proved quite successful for Lulu. Her performance in Buenos Aires was publicized as highly as an opera singer would be. It is reported that Argentine president Jose Figueroa Alcorta “showered” Lulu with gifts for her outstanding debut. She toured the United States and Europe again with the 101 Ranch troupe but by that time most wild west show performers had died, retired or found new careers in film.

When most of the larger shows broke up, Lulu found smaller shows that at times could barely pay for traveling expenses. She toured with the Cook Brother's Texas Ranch 99, Vern's Tex-Mex Show, Tantlinger's Wild West and King Brother's Rodeo. She also performed with circuses such as Wortham's World's Greatest Show, Sells-Floto Circus, Barnum-Bailey, Robbins Brothers Circus and Hagenbeck-Wallace Show. Lulu did not retire until she was in her 60s.

During her reign as “Champion Lady Bucking Horse Rider of the World,” Lulu received top billing for performances and she was known for her flamboyant outfits, often the creations of Lulu herself. She received numerous injuries during her career but kept going. It was once reported her horse made a sharp turn and fell on its side during a show, pinning her to the ground before she was able to get out of the saddle. Knocked unconscious, Lulu's physician said her injuries would prevent her from riding for a few weeks. Thirty minutes later, she was riding in the classic quadrille while fans cheered her on. Her independent nature and thirst for excitement even influenced how she traveled. Upon returning home from a European tour, she rode horse back for approximately 600 miles to Ohio from Pennsylvania to visit relatives. When asked why such a long trip on horseback, she simply said she and her pony were tired of the steam trains.

Lulu died on January 17, 1955 in Ohio while living with relatives. Among her prized possessions was a 5” barrel, nickel and gold plated 45 Colt revolver engraved “Buffalo Bill Cody to Lulu Parr - 1911.” The Medway Area Historical Society in Medway, Ohio began uncovering Lulu's significant history upon finding out she was buried in an unmarked grave in the Medway Cemetery. With tremendous public and private support, they were able to erect a five-foot monument including Lulu's picture marking her resting place. She possessed great determination and fortitude and is a prime example of a true cowgirl.

Sue Pirtle

Year Inducted: 1981

Home State: OK

Called "the most versatile cowgirl in the history of the GRA," Sue won 11 World titles as All-Around Cowgirl, calf roper, ribbon roper, bareback rider, and bull rider. Sue actively promoted the image of the modern cowgirl through television, documentaries, sports competitions, and movie appearances. Dedicated to promoting the image of the women's rodeo, she served on the board of directors of the WPRA and as a director of the GRA.

Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff

(1952-1999)

Year Inducted: 1987

Home State: OK

Born into a family of rodeo stars, Betty established herself as one of the top calf roping champions. Growing up on a ranch near Hobbs, New Mexico, Betty won her first championship at 12 in Junior Calf Roping. A diligent rodeo supporter, she helped reorganize the American Junior Rodeo Association and worked as rodeo director of the WPRA to strengthen the sport. She coached the men's and women's rodeo teams for Southeastern Oklahoma State University to national titles.

Carol Rose

Year Inducted: 2001

Home State: TX

One of the first females to become a leader in the equine industry, Carol began competing in horse events as a child. She inherited her passion for horses from her mother, who taught her to ride and care for them as a basis for life lessons. A world champion in non-pro cutting horse competition, Carol has evolved into one of the world's leading breeders and exhibitors of Quarter Horses, dedicated to making a positive difference.

Ruth Roach Salmon

(1896-1986)

Year Inducted: 1989

Home State: TX

Ruth ran away from home to join the 101 Ranch Wild West Show as a trick rider. Her contest debut came at the 1917 Fort Worth Roundup, America's first indoor rodeo, as a bronc rider. Dubbed the "soft-spoken, rough-riding golden girl of the West," she wore trademark giant hair bows and boots hand-tooled with hearts. She is remembered for trick riding up the steps, across the lobby and through the dining room of Fort Worth's Texas Hotel.

Fern Sawyer

(1917-1993)

Year Inducted: 1976

Home State: NM

An all-around champion cowgirl, Fern was raised on a ranch where her father insisted she perform as well as the men if she was determined to help with the ranch work. Fern applied this same philosophy to her rodeo career, competing in men's events in rodeos because she found women's events too infrequent and uninspiring. Fern became the first woman to win the National Cutting Horse world title and be inducted into the Cutting Horse Hall of Fame.

Blanche Alitzer Smith

(1928-1998)

Year Inducted: 1976

Home State: TX

Born into a South Texas ranching family, Blanche was an accomplished cowgirl with a devotion to the sport of rodeo. A champion calf roper, she appeared at all the major rodeos in Texas, frequently competing against the men. Instrumental in the formation of the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA), Blanche worked as association secretary and then as director to ensure the integrity of the sport and the association

Fannie Sperry Steele

(1887-1983)

Year Inducted: 1978

Home State: MT

Fannie took a lifelong fascination of horses and turned it into a rodeo career that included being named World Champion bronc rider and headlining as a sharpshooter. Before she retired from rodeo, Fannie and her husband organized their own Wild West show and a stock company, touring the country. Finally leaving rodeos behind, Fannie went back to Montana to operate a guest ranch, guiding visitors into the Rocky Mountain wilderness until well into her seventies.

Anne Stradling

(1913-1992)

Year Inducted: 1987

Home State: AZ

Creator of the Museum of the Horse, the first U.S. museum dedicated to the horse, Anne began her collection of horse-related items as a young girl in New Jersey. The daughter of a prominent land developer, she participated in her first horse show at six, later learning to trick ride with the 101 Ranch Show, and competed in calf roping. Her horse museum began as a one-room exhibit but grew into a collection valued in the millions of dollars. It is now located in Ruidoso, New Mexico

Jackie Worthington

(1925-1987)

Year Inducted: 1975

Home State: TX

Jackie was instrumental in the formation of the GRA, helping to plan and form the association and serving two terms as president. Holding 23 world championships from a thirteen year rodeo career, Jackie learned to ride on her parent's ranch, using everything from the milk-pen cows to the broodmares to train. A graduate of Texas State College for Women and an accomplished musician, Jackie eventually retired from rodeo to take over management of the family ranch.

Isora DeRacy Young

Year Inducted: 1979

Home State: TX

Isora's love for ranching, horses, and roping made her a pioneer. Isora is a champion calf roper and barrel racer from a time when women in rodeo were very rare. She began competing in the early 1930s and was promoted as one of only two cowgirl calf ropers in the world. She followed the rodeo circuit all across the country and aided in the organization of the GRA, until she retired to ranching

Jan Youren

Year Inducted: 1993

Home State: ID

Jan excels in every rodeo event, especially bareback bronc and bull riding. She has competed for over four decades, winning top honors and world titles in the WPRA. A fervent advocate of the sport since her first bareback bronc ride, Jan also holds clinics to teach young women the art of riding rough stock. Centering her life between rodeo and family, Jan's dedication and goodwill personify to many what it means to be a cowgirl.

Caroline Quiner Ingalls

(1839-1924)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: WS, KS, MI

Matriarch of the Ingalls family, Caroline, although born and raised on the frontier, was an educated and cultured woman. Quiet and gentle, she had five children and was known for her kindness and concern for others. With her husband, she moved to Kansas, then Minnesota where she lost her only son. After spending two years in Iowa, Caroline moved to the Dakota Territory, becoming, without knowing it, the first settlers of De Smet

Mary Ingalls

(1865-1928)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: KS, MO, MN, SD

Eldest of the Ingalls children, Mary dreamed of becoming a school teacher until she was stricken with scarlet fever and lost her sight. She instead attended the Iowa State College for the Blind, graduating with high marks. Returning home, she lived with her mother and wove colorful "fly nets" for horses. She was a church organist and Sunday school teacher.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

(1867-1957)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: KS, MN, SD, WI

Best known for her "Little House on the Prairie" books, Laura was born in a log cabin in Wisconsin and saw the frontier as her family traveled west as pioneer settlers. It is on these experiences that Laura based her books. She captured the successive phases of the American frontier by preserving her own memories of her travels. Though her first book was not published until she was 68, Laura continued to write until after she was 76.

Carrie Ingalls Swanzey

(1870-1946)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: SD

Born during her parents' stay in Kansas, Carrie, third daughter of the Ingalls, grew up in DeSmet, South Dakota. Upon graduating from high school, she went to work for the local newspaper, which led to her management of several newspapers. Moving to Keystone, South Dakota, to run a paper, she met and married a miner, David Swanzey. At Keystone, she became an active leader in the community and her church.

Grace Ingalls Dow

(1877-1941)

Year Inducted: 1984

Home State: SD

The youngest of the Ingalls children, Grace went to school in DeSmet. She eventually married a local farmer, Nathan Dow. With her husband's health failing, Grace and he rented out the farm and toured the Pacific Coast. Returning to DeSmet, Grace wrote neighborhood news items for the newspaper and cared for her sister Mary after their mother died. Upon Mary's death, Grace and her husband moved to Manchester.