Plumbing 
On Saturday, July 24, Uvaldean Jan Elliott received the Texas CattleWomen Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her longstanding commitment and service to the beef industry.
The ceremony, which took place at the Texas CattleWomen spring convention in Fort Worth, included an award presentation by Texas CattleWomen president Debbie Gill, along with a reading of the nomination letter by fellow Texas CattleWomen member and longtime friend Diana Ridgway.
During the reading, 21 members of the Elliott family, South Texas CattleWomen, and friends entered the back door of the room to surprise Elliott.
When Ridgway took to the podium, Elliott said, it was the first time the thought crossed her mind that she could possibly be this year’s recipient.
“It was especially wonderful to share the moment with South Texas CattleWomen, longtime friends and our amazing children and grandchildren,” Elliott said.
“Such an award also belongs to those who for so many years have worked alongside me; most accomplishments take a team. Fortunately, may of those folks were present. Everyone did an enviable job of keeping secrets and evidently hiding in every corner of the hotel and convention center in Fort Worth beforehand,” Elliot said.
‘Over the last 20 years, Jan has helped lead the South Texas CattleWomen to become one of the largest and most charitable chapters in Texas.’
Diana Ridgway, Texas CattleWomen
Standing committee Spikes & Spurs co-chairman Holly Van Cleve presented Elliott with a card for a pair of M.L. Leddy custom boots on behalf of South Texas CattleWomen, Briscoe Western Art Museum, and friends. Elliott has been a member of Texas CattleWomen on and off for nearly 50 years and is currently the president of the South Texas CattleWomen chapter.
Texas CattleWomen
Texas CattleWomen Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jan Elliott holds a congratulatory bouquet of flowers and is joined by Texas CattleWomen president Debbie Gill. Elliott was lauded Saturday, July 24 at the Texas CattleWomen Convention in Fort Worth for her contribution to the industry.
“Over the last 20 years, Jan has helped lead the South Texas CattleWomen to become one of the largest and most charitable chapters in Texas,” Ridgway said.
“In a typical year, you will find Jan and her STCW chapter participating in many events such as Steaks for Troops by sponsoring, organizing and serving $2,500 of steak meals to Wounded Warriors and donating $1,000 annually to the Warrior and Family Support Center; volunteering at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, donating $2,500 each year to feed rodeo contestants beef meals; endorsing and sponsoring Miss Rodeo Texas with $2.500 and gifting a $1,000 scholarship for the Master of Beef Advocacy program to Miss Rodeo America; promoting the sale of steaks for Father’s Day at their local HEBs, by educating consumers on the importance of beef nutrition; and collecting Christmas gifts for the Big Springs Children’s Home,” reads the award nomination letter.
Further, she is also the founder of “Spikes & Spurs,” a signature event for STCW, which benefits three South Texas children’s homes by gifting $30,000 annually in fresh beef.
Elliott has resided in Uvalde since 1987 and is the widow of rancher Albert Sager “Tex” Elliott.
Together they had six children. She has received the Uvalde Volunteer of the Year award and currently serves on the boards of First United Methodist Church of Uvalde, St. Henry de Osso Family Project, the Uvalde Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Herby Ham Activity Center and The Texas High School BBQ board. She is president of Uvalde Republican Women and a founding member of the Uvalde Good Eggs.
Also, in 2007, under Elliott’s leadership, the STCW became the official host of the Briscoe Ranch BBQ Cook-off, which raises scholarship funds for students attending Southwest Texas Junior College.
“Jan’s true passion is promoting the beef industry. Through raising good cattle and passing along the family legacies of stewardship, hard work, devotion, faith, family and friends, she never hesitates to share any and all these traits to anyone in which she comes in contact… Jan Elliott embodies the idea of the cattle-woman in thought, word, and deed everyday of her life and is most deserving of the Texas Cattlewomen Lifetime Achievement Award,” Ridgway said.
Texas CattleWomen is an affiliate of the American National CattleWomen. The group consists of local organizations that function not only to support state and national goals, but also to support their own communities, per its website.
MFEDERSPILL@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335
