Texas A&M’s Dean Eleanor Green to be Inducted into National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

COLLEGE STATION, TX–Dr. Eleanor M. Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, along with three other distinguished cowgirls, will join 211 previous honorees when they are officially inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (www.cowgirl.net) at its 38th Annual Induction Luncheon Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013.

The 2013 honorees are:

Eleanor Green, DVM, DABVP, DACVIM

Cathy A. Smith

Mary Walker

Elizabeth “Lizzie Johnson” Williams

“These inspiring role models are fitting additions to the other 211 extraordinary Honorees in the Hall of Fame,” said Patricia Riley, executive director of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The Cowgirl preserves the history and highlights the impact of extraordinary Western women from the mid-1800s to the present: the artists and writers, champions and competitive performers, entertainers, ranchers (stewards of land and livestock), trailblazers, and pioneers.

About Eleanor Green, DVM

Dr. Eleanor Green currently serves as the first female dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. She was one of only three women in her graduating class of 100 from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Her perseverance was easily recognizable. After four years as a partner-owner of a veterinary practice, she became one of the founding faculty members and the first female veterinarian of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University in 1976.

Dr. Green has a long list of other firsts:

the first woman in the nation to officiate at a National Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest (1974);

the first female department head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Large Animal Hospital Director at the University of Tennessee;

the first female department chair of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Large Animal Hospital Chief of Staff at the University of Florida;

the first woman in the history of both Auburn University’s and MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to deliver the commencement address;

the first female president of three national veterinary associations, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and American Association of Veterinary Clinicians.

This scholar is also a passionate horsewoman and has owned and shown horses for nearly 60 years winning numerous circuit and state championships. She has also served on the boards of directors of a number of horse industry organizations. Green is a true leader in the industry.

About the Other Honorees:

Cathy A. Smith of Santa Fe, N.M., is an artist dedicated to preserving the history of the 19th century cowboy/girl and the Plains Indians. Her expansive knowledge is expressed through painting, bead and quillwork, motion picture costume design, and historical consultation. Her work in the epic Western film starring Kevin Costner, “Dances with Wolves,” set the standard for authenticity in Western filmmaking. She has over 35 Western films to her credit including “Comanche Moon” and “Geronimo.” She received an Emmy for Excellence in Costume Design for the television miniseries,” Son of the Morning Star.”

Mary Walker of Ennis, Texas, the 2012 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Champion barrel racer, is a Texas native who showed determination and tremendous strength after overcoming a life-shattering tragedy and a debilitating injury. After months of physical therapy, she became the second-oldest woman, at age 53, to win the 2012 world title. Still competing, this athlete is currently ranked number two in world standings.

Elizabeth “Lizzie Johnson” Williams (1840‒1924), who ranched near Austin, was a pioneer in breaking the barrier into what had always been considered a man’s world: cattle trading. Legend has it that she was one of the first women to drive her own cattle, along with her husband’s, up the Chisholm Trail, earning her the nickname, “The Cattle Queen of Texas.”