Posted on 10/25/2002 7:02:43 AM PDT by BSunday
Susan Howard Wins 2001 Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award
April 26, 1777: A wounded messenger barely reaches the home of New York militia officer Henry Ludington with desperate news of a British attack on nearby Danbury, Connecticut. With no time to spare, Colonel Ludington enlists the help of his 16-year old daughter, Sybil. While her father organizes the local militia, Sybil rides through the night on horseback to alert the troops in the surrounding countryside. By risking her life, Sybil makes a profound difference in America's successful pursuit to become a free and independent nation.
It is in this spirit of freedom and courage that the NRA presents its prestigious Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award to modern-day heroines. This annual award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any woman by the NRA. In the year 2001, this honor is being given to an extraordinary woman who exemplifies the ideals represented by this award -- Susan Howard.
Howard was born and raised in Marshall, Texas and attended the University of Texas before moving to California to pursue an acting career. She was a member of the Los Angeles Repertory Company and appeared on many popular television shows. She received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Maggie Petrocelli in the series "Petrocelli." Of course, to the general public, Howard is best known for her nine-year role as Donna Culver Krebs on the television series "Dallas."
Howard opted to use the visibility she earned through her acting career to be a spokesperson and activist for an issue near and dear to her heart: the defense of the Second Amendment. She is an active member of NRA's board of directors, serves as the current chairman of the Public Affairs Committee, and is a member of both the Ethics Committee and the Executive Committee. She is a shooter, hunter and strong Constitutionalist. She has been featured in NRA/ILA public service announcements on firearm issues, Refuse To Be a Victim materials, as well as NRA educational videos, including the Women On Target hunting safety video.
Howard has never been one to shy away from the tough questions posed by members of the anti-gun mainstream media. Last year, she was one of only a few female gun owners who participated in a meeting held at the White House during the "Million" Mom March. During that meeting, she passionately and eloquently defended the Second Amendment. Bill Bauer, also a member of NRA's board of directors, had this to say about Susan's role in the meeting, [she was] greatly outnumbered by a much larger representation of women supporting gun control and registration. She more than held her own and won many new supporters to the NRA.
Howard was taught how to shoot by her father and grandfather. They started her out with a BB gun, then a .22 caliber rifle and progressed from there. From this beginning, she developed into a woman who is passionate about quail and dove hunting. Howard recently explained why she enjoys these activities. "It's the camaraderie. It's the day ending and being able to talk about things that have true, eternal value. You end up talking about your family traditions and what we can do to make this world a better place. It is an honorable, honorable, thing to do."
Howard feels strongly about involving women in shooting and hunting and supports efforts being made by Women On Target volunteers nationwide. Through their hard work, women receive shooting and hunting instruction in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere and enjoy the camaraderie of other like-minded women at the same time. "It's very important to get together with other women and share experiences," said Howard. She continued, "My heart right now is for the single moms. When I was on the commission at Texas Parks and Wildlife, one of our biggest concerns was for the single moms. Many of them had children who wanted to go hunting or shooting, but many of the moms felt left out, because they had no experience with those activities. We needed to reach out and get them involved."
Howard was humbled at her selection as the 2001 Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award recipient. "One of the things that struck me so much about Sybil Ludington was the fact that no one would ever say, 'This was the Annie Oakley of the Revolutionary War,'" said Howard. She continued, "Sybil Ludington did not become famous or well-known because she was the greatest sharpshooter in the whole wide world, or because she was the greatest hunter in the whole wide world. She became well known because she believed, with passion, that this country and what it stood for -- freedom -- was about to be taken away. So she did the one thing she knew she could do. Somebody needed to go and tell the others that the British were coming and that they weren't just coming, but that they were coming to take away everything -- the freedoms -- for which so many came to America."
In recognition of her own passionate defense of freedom as exhibited by her active protection of the Second Amendment, despite knowing that her position is not popular among many in the entertainment industry, and her support of NRA's safety and education programs, it is only fitting that Susan Howard has been awarded the 2001 Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award.
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