This Day in History: Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Founded in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX — On this day in 1948, the Girls Rodeo Association, the forerunner to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, was founded in San Angelo at the St. Angelus Hotel, according to the Texas State Historical Association. 

The organization, formed by 38 women, aimed to standardize and protect women’s rodeo competitions, ensuring fair treatment for female contestants.

The effort followed the success of the Tri-State All-Girl Rodeo held in Amarillo in September 1947, which showed the need for organized representation of female rodeo athletes. Early officers included Margaret Owens Montgomery as president and Mary Ellen “Dude” Barton as vice president, along with other leaders dedicated to improving the standing of women’s rodeo.

Initially, the GRA operated out of its presidents’ homes before moving to Fort Worth in 1950, Oklahoma in 1973, and later Colorado Springs in 1993, aligning with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The organization implemented regulations for all-girl rodeos and established a point system to determine world champions.

In 1955, GRA President Jackie Worthington and PRCA President Bill Linderman formalized an agreement requiring PRCA-sanctioned rodeos featuring women’s events to follow GRA rules, solidifying the association’s role in professional rodeo.

The organization was renamed the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association in 1981, with barrel racing becoming its premier event. In recent years, breakaway roping has expanded within PRCA-sanctioned rodeos, becoming an NFR event in 2020.