The Texas Coastal CattleWomen Annual Fundraiser Luncheon and Style Show, held September 23rd at the Lakeside Country Club in Houston, Texas, put the spotlight on coastal ranching by honoring the White Ranch, True Texas CattleWoman honoree Mary Kathrine White Moursund, and The Bryan Museum. The luncheon, which included a style show from THS Ranch, a silent auction and a raffle, brought more than $97,000, all to support beef donations and scholarships.

 

Annually, the Texas Coastal CattleWomen, which began in 1987, seeks to raise funds to perpetuate their mission of education and creating awareness of the best protein, beef. The luncheon honored its second True Texas CattleWoman awardee, White Moursund, while partnering with The Bryan Museum to highlight the contributions and historical significance of coastal ranches. In addition, the Black Cowboy Museum, the Chambers County Museum and the Washington on the Brazos Museum, which all tout the significance of coastal ranching and cowboys, were in attendance. The luncheon also honored White Moursund’s late father, Bill White of the White Ranches, one of the oldest continuing brands to run cattle in the state.

 

Dr. Molly McAdams, executive vice president of the Texas Beef Council, kicked off the ceremony with remarks of welcome. The inaugural True Texas CattleWoman, Missy Bonds, was on hand to pass the award to the second recipient, White Moursund. The two women exemplify the hard work and dedication of generational ranchers in Texas. White Moursund, who grew up ranching alongside her father in Stowell, Texas, on the eastern Gulf Coast, spoke about her upbringing working cattle, attending Texas A&M University, and then graduating from the TCU Ranch Management course.

 

“I have had the best mentors and work with the best people,” White Moursund said. “I remember, after graduation, we had a couple of bad hurricanes. The Aggie Network is great, but the Ranch Management alumni will give them a run for their money. There were classmates and people that graduated 15 years before me reaching out to help. I don’t know how many industries have your competitors reaching out to help you.”

 

Following the presentation, THS Ranch put forth a style show that rivaled any fashion event, with a Western flair. As the sold-out event’s honored guests from the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR), Texas Beef Council, Cattleman’s Beef Board, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) and more looked on, the style show captivated the audience. The event, which lasted three hours, provided opportunities to network among the ranchers, agriculture organizations and supporters in the packed room.

 

At the close, TCCW Past President Claudia Wright announced the 2026 event honoree, Port City Stockyards.

 

“Port City Stockyards will be our recipient next year, and while there were no ranches in Harris County, we felt we needed to shine a light on this historic stockyard,” Wright said. “The coastal ranches are legendary, and the Port City Stockyards was founded in 1931 and was located where the University of Houston is now located. It changed ranching on the Gulf Coast, and more importantly, fostered generational friendships that are present today.”

 

The event is set for 2026, September 22, and will again recognize a Texas female rancher as the True Texas CattleWoman. Be sure to visit texascoastalcattlewomen.com for more information on this event and others coming in 2026.