Five new members will be welcomed by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame at their 45th National Induction Luncheon and Ceremony Oct. 26. Two award winners will also be honored at the Tuesday lunch event, held at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth.
The new Hall of Fame members represent a wide range of cowgirls. A country music superstar, a world champion breakaway roper, a renowned artist, cowboy hat designer, and an Olympic medalist are included in this induction class.
Miranda Lambert, Lari Dee Guy, Pop Chalee, Lavonna “Shorty” Koger, and Kathryn Kusner are the inductees. Yellowstone cinematographer Christina Voros will receive the Pasty Montana Award. Military War Dog Lucca K458, USMC, will receive the Sergeant Reckless Award. Lucca is the second recipient of this award. and has been honored with a statue in the Alice Walton Cowgirl Park. The statue, titled “Send Me,” is created by artist Jocelyn Russell.
Photo: US Marine Sgt. Chris Willingham & Lucca photo courtesy Chris Willingham
Lucca (2004 – 2018) was a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix who served with the U.S. Marine Corps for six years with the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). She was trained to detect explosives, and Lucca’s distinguished record includes leading more than 400 patrols in Afghanistan and Iraq during three combat tours. She’s credited with over 40 confirmed finds of insurgents, explosives, and ammunition (with no human casualties during her patrols).
Lucca has been honored with medals for her service, including Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery #6 and Great Britain’s PDSA Dickin Medal #67, the first US Marine Corps dog to receive the honor. In 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan, Lucca was injured by an IED blast that led to the amputation of her left leg. The brave War Dog was adopted by her original handler, Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham, and died peacefully on Jan. 20, 2018.
“Cowgirls have a long and storied relationship with animals and while the most common animal related to the cowgirl is a horse, the dog would be a close second,” said the Museum’s associate executive director Dr. Diana Vela. “We are pleased to honor Lucca’s legacy as one of those animals that is deserving of the Sergeant Reckless Award.”
The Sergeant Reckless Award recognizes animals, individuals, or groups who risk their lives for the betterment of others, and who stand courageously in protection of others. This award is named in honor of the most decorated war horse in modern history.
Photo: Lari Dee Guy courtesy RC Photography
“We are honored to welcome this outstanding class of inductees and add their remarkable stories and accomplishments to the amazing group of honorees they are joining in the Museum’s Hall of Fame,” said the Museum’s executive director Patricia Riley. “Congratulations to all.”
These Inductees will join over 240 cowgirls in the Hall of Fame. The Museum celebrates living and deceased Honorees who represent diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures. Many of the Honorees are nationally and internationally recognized artists or writers, champions and competitive performers, entertainers, ranchers, or trailblazers and pioneers.
The Museum announced Teton Ridge Foundation as the presenting sponsor of the 45th Annual Induction Luncheon and Ceremony. Please reserve your tables now for the Induction Luncheon and Ceremony.
Sponsorship packages are also available, and range from presenting sponsor to an individual table sponsor, starting at $2,500. For tables and/or sponsorship details, please visit cowgirl.net/hall-of-fame/.
Photo: Shorty Day photo courtesy Impulse Photography
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire. Established in 1975, the Museum is considered an invaluable national educational resource for its exhibits, research library, rare photograph collection and award-winning distance-learning programs.
In 2019, the Museum opened the Kit Moncrief Galleries and It’s Never Just a HorseTM exhibition. Located at 1720 Gendy Street in Fort Worth, Texas, its hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m.
Admission is $12 for adults (13+); $9 for seniors (60+) and military; $6 for children (ages 3-12) and children 3 and under with paid admission. For more news and information visit cowgirl.net or call 817.336.4475.