Blanche Altizer Smith

Blanche Luela Altizer Smith (July 16, 1928 – December 30, 1998) was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1976.

Life Blanche Luela Altizer was born on July 16, 1928, into a Southern Texas ranching family. She was the older sister of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame calf and steer roper Jim Bob Altizer.

She married Floyd E. "Bud" Smith, and they had two sons, Olie and Jimmy. Her niece Sherry, Jim Bob's daughter, was a professional rodeo cowgirl who competed in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).

Career Smith competed in professional calf roping with much success, becoming a champion several times. She competed at major rodeos in Texas, many times competing against men. She also competed as a barrel racer and as a team roper. In another vein, she served as secretary and timer.

Later, Smith was first one of the association secretaries and then one of the founding directors of the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) in 1948. Additionally, she served as the Team/Tying/Cow Milking Director. The GRA later became the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).