Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Business Press is hosting its annual Great Women of Texas awards ceremony on April 8, 2026 at the Fort Worth Club. This year’s honorees include Jo Ellard as Great Woman of Texas, Lillie Biggins receiving the Legacy Award, Dr. Opal Lee earning the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Gyna Bivens being awarded the Pioneer Award posthumously. The event will also recognize 24 additional Women of Influence.

Why it matters

The Great Women of Texas awards highlight the significant contributions and leadership of prominent women across various industries and communities in the state. The annual ceremony serves to inspire the next generation of female trailblazers and advocates for greater gender equity.

The details

The Great Women of Texas awards ceremony is organized by The Business Press to celebrate the accomplishments of influential women in the Lone Star State. This year’s top honorees include Jo Ellard as the Great Woman of Texas, Lillie Biggins receiving the Legacy Award, Dr. Opal Lee earning the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Gyna Bivens being awarded the Pioneer Award posthumously. In addition, 24 other Women of Influence will be recognized at the event.

The awards ceremony will take place on April 8, 2026.The Business Press has hosted the Great Women of Texas event annually.
The players

Jo Ellard

The 2026 Great Woman of Texas honoree.

Lillie Biggins

The recipient of the 2026 Legacy Award.

Dr. Opal Lee

The 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Gyna Bivens

The posthumous recipient of the 2026 Pioneer Award.

The Business Press

The organizer of the annual Great Women of Texas awards ceremony.

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What’s next

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Great Women of Texas awards ceremony are available through The Business Press.

The takeaway

The Great Women of Texas awards recognize the invaluable contributions of female leaders across the state, serving as an inspiration for the next generation of trailblazers and advocates for gender equity.