Blanche Altizer Smith

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

Blanche Altizer Smith was born Blanche Altizer on July 16, 1928, into a Southern Texas ranching family. She is the sister of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame steer roper Jim Bob Altizer. She married Floyd E. "Bud" Smith, and they had two sons. When Bud and Blanche died, Olie and Jimmy carried on the ranch and rodeo tradition and live in the Sonora, Texas area.

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.

The GRA was officially formed on February 23, 1948, by 23 women who met with this intention at the San Angelus Hotel in San Angelo, Texas. Smith was one of the officers elected that day.

One of the first items the GRA wanted done was more money added to the Barrel Racing event at rodeos, and they lobbied to this end. The West of the Pecos Rodeo was one of the first rodeos to agree to these terms. They increased their prize money for the event and four places paid out. They also adhered to the clover lead pattern, which is still in use today. They did this with minimal rule changes.

Smith died on December 30, 1998. She is buried in Del Rio, Texas