Women of Distinction

Although the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was established in 1931 by seven men, women have played increasingly important roles ever since. In the early years, Show officials' wives and daughters volunteered in supporting roles without official recognition. Today, women comprise more than 35 percent of committee volunteers and hold leadership positions throughout the Show's hierarchy. "The role of women in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has mirrored the way society has evolved," said Show Vice President Brady Carruth, "and I think their roles will continue to expand."

These three outstanding women have served as Show vice presidents: Suzanne Epps, Jerry Johnston Andrew and Carolyn Faulk.

The increasing feminine influence began in 1958, when a group comprised mostly of directors' and officers' wives took over the Advertising Committee's responsibility of advertising sales for the Show's souvenir program. The group operated as the Ladies' Souvenir Program Committee until 1988, when the ladies' and men's committees united to become today's Souvenir Program Committee.

In 1965, another exclusively female committee began as a subcommittee of what was then the Go Texan Committee. The original group, consisting of Show officials' wives and daughters, and a few other women who were involved with the Show, increased awareness and publicity for the Show. They assisted with the Go Texan Committee's activities, distributed Show posters throughout the city and conducted fashion show fundraisers. The Ladies' Go Texan Committee received committee status in 1973, and, today, its members continue to promote the Show as public relations ambassadors.

The Ladies' Season Box Committee was formed in 1970, when the Rabbit Auction Committee dissolved. Show leaders recognized the committee members' abilities and created this new committee to sell season box tickets to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The women soon sold all of these tickets and took on more responsibilities. In addition to season box sales, members hosted gala dinners and sold season box tickets for the National Cutting Horse Association competition held annually in the Astroarena. "These ladies sold the boxes when they weren't easy to sell. It was a hard job at the time, but they got it done," said Ladies' Season Box Committee Chairman Kathy Somerville.

Women have steadily risen through the ranks of these all-female committees, as well as other coed committees, to positions of leadership in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In fact, 16 of the Show's 91 current committees are chaired by women. Numerous women serve on the Show's board of directors, and three women have been elected as Show vice presidents. "The three lady vice presidents are exemplary in their dedication to the Show. They are outstanding examples of what women have contributed to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo," Somerville said.

Suzanne Epps served as chairman of the Ladies' Souvenir Program and Ladies' Season Box committees and was a member of several other committees before she was elected a Show vice president in 1992. Recalling her experience as the Show's first woman vice president, Epps said, "I couldn't have worked with a nicer group of men. We did a lot of traveling, and, aside from the occasional teasing I received when I had to stop to buy lipstick, they treated me like one of the guys."

The Western Art Committee dedicated the bronze statue entitled "Yes" — depicting a female Show competitor holding a ribbon — to Epps in 1995. Epps continues to serve as a lifetime vice president and on the International and Ladies' Season Box committees.

The Show's second female vice president, Jerry Johnston Andrew, carried on her family's tradition of service to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Andrew served as a Show director, chairman of the Ladies' Season Box Committee and as a member of the Ladies' Go Texan and Special Children's committees.

A longtime Show member and avid supporter of the junior market auctions, Andrew said her love of kids, animals and people inspires her involvement with the Show. Andrew currently serves as a lifetime vice president and as a member of the Ladies' Season Box, School Art and Special Children's committees. She said, "Women work in every aspect of the Show, and there are no boundaries as far as what they can accomplish."

In May 1997, Carolyn Faulk became the third woman to serve as a Show vice president. Faulk's official committee involvement began in 1978, when she joined the Swine Auction Committee. In 1983, she became one of the first female vice chairmen of a junior auction sales committee. Reaching top sales and honors in all of her endeavors, Faulk served as Swine Auction Committee co-chairman, as a member of the Membership Committee and as a Corporate Development Committee vice chairman, and, in 1988, she became a Show director. Faulk described her experience as an officer as fun, emotional, gratifying and full of lessons. She said, "Having my car towed by 'Tow-away' Stapleton's horse committee taught me to never think you are too big for your britches!"

 

The Ladies' Season Box Committee presented its first-ever Pearl and Trailblazer awards to Ethel Carruth, Tiny Butler*, Cheryl Thompson-Draper, Angela Montalbano, Terry Walker and Mary Adams. Photo by John McCaine.

"The female officers are pioneers of the Show. They've done a fantastic job and are role models for volunteers," said Carruth. "It is important to recognize the efforts of women who have dedicated themselves to the Show." The Ladies' Season Box Committee recognized six of those women at a luncheon and style show on Jan. 16, 2000. The honorees' individual accomplishments are countless, but they share a common record of achievement at the Show. All have served on two or more committees, have been a chairman or vice chairman and have been active in the Show for more than 15 years. This group includes sale supporters, auction buyers and trail riders who have made huge commitments to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Mary Adams, Tiny Butler*, Angela Montalbano, Cheryl Thompson-Draper and Terry Walker received the inaugural Ladies' Trailblazer Award. Somerville said, "These outstanding lady volunteers are forward-thinking, productive women who have shown their dedication to the Show through their time, talent and generosity. They promote the spirit of volunteerism and are the epitome of leadership at the highest level."

At the luncheon, the Ladies' Season Box Committee also presented the first-ever Pearl Award to Ethel Carruth for continually giving so much of herself to the youth of Texas. Somerville said, "This is a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' recognizing Mrs. Carruth's long commitment of service to the Show."

Mrs. Carruth said, "Volunteerism has been a way of life for me, but I have received much more than I have ever given!" She predicts a strong future for women in the Show and said, "I've been in close contact with some of the Show's best officers, and they are the first to give credit to the women! Who knows how far we'll go?"

The Ladies' Season Box Committee selected an unparalleled group of women to honor in 2000, and committee leaders admit this group will be difficult to match. There are many deserving female volunteers, some following in the footsteps of these trailblazers and others blazing their own trails.

Women have had an enormous impact on the Show, and that impact continues to grow. Everyone can blaze trails as volunteers for the Show, and these women are outstanding role models who have demonstrated how it's done.

*The Show lost one of its most dedicated supporters when
Tiny Butler, wife of lifetime vice president Max Butler, passed away Feb. 24, 2000.