FORT WORTH, TEXAS (RFD-TV) — The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame is marking 50 years of honoring women who have shaped the American West. This year’s celebration includes six new inductees and the unveiling of an expanded museum featuring additional exhibits and artifacts.
Julie Bryant with the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame joined Market Day Report to discuss the milestone, the 2026 induction class, and how the museum is preserving the stories of Western women for future generations.
Celebrating 50 Years of Cowgirl Excellence
The museum began in Hereford, Texas, in 1975 with a mission to recognize women whose accomplishments helped shape the West. Today, the Hall of Fame represents more than 270 women.
In her conversation with RFD-TV, Bryant said the 50th induction class provides an opportunity to bring previously stored artifacts out of storage and share more of those stories with visitors.
This year’s six honorees represent a wide range of accomplishments:
- Cherie DeVaux, a groundbreaking Thoroughbred horse trainer and the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
- Kenda Lenseigne, a six-time world champion in mounted shooting.
- Lela Rose, a Texas-born fashion designer whose work incorporates Western influences.
- Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a Civil War surgeon and the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.
- Lisa Sorrell, a custom bootmaker and Western artisan from Oklahoma.
- Laura Kraut, an Olympic show jumper who continues to compete internationally.
Bryant said the diversity of the class reflects the many ways women have contributed to Western heritage, from horsemanship and ranching to fashion, military service and the arts.
Defining What It Means to Be a Cowgirl
Bryant said the definition of a cowgirl extends well beyond traditional ideas of ranching and rodeo.
Whether through business, art, agriculture, or other pursuits, she said the women honored share qualities that have helped them overcome challenges and create opportunities.
“It’s not necessarily what a cowgirl is, but it’s what a cowgirl does,” Bryant said.
She pointed to an exhibit called The 38, recognizing the women who helped establish the Girls Rodeo Association, which later became the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. It was the first professional women’s sporting organization in the United States.
Bryant said those early cowgirls were determined to create opportunities for themselves and earn recognition for their work.
Expanded Museum Brings More Stories to Life
The museum’s expansion gives visitors more opportunities to explore the accomplishments and personal stories of Western women.
One new feature is a working carousel with 18 horses, located next to the museum’s Icons Gallery.
The gallery includes a wardrobe donated by country music star Miranda Lambert from her Las Vegas Velvet Rodeo residency. Bryant said Lambert’s costuming was inspired in part by clothing she encountered during an earlier visit to the museum.
Another exhibit, Gravity Defied, features photography celebrating women in trick riding and the evolution of the sport.
Bryant said the expansion also provides an opportunity to display more artifacts and tell stories that previously could not be shared because of limited space.
Inspiring the Next Generation
While the museum celebrates the accomplishments of women from the past, Bryant said preserving those stories is also about inspiring future generations.
The women represented in the Hall of Fame demonstrate determination, perseverance, and the ability to create their own paths, even when opportunities were limited.
Bryant said those qualities continue to define the cowgirl spirit today and connect women across generations and professions.
LEARN MORE: thecowgirl.org
