City of Fort Worth, TX

03/22/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/22/2023 07:22

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Anne Burnett Tandy

Women's History Month Spotlight: Anne Burnett Tandy

Published on March 22, 2023

Women's History Month is celebrated in March to coincide with International Women's Day (March 8). This is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of women across history and society, including activists, civil rights pioneers and leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. In the spirit of that mission, each Wednesday in March, a local trailblazing woman will be featured in hopes that their stories will inspire residents to explore other fascinating change agents.

Anne Valliant Burnett Tandywas born Oct. 15, 1900, to Olive (Lake) and Thomas Lloyd Burnett in Fort Worth. She was the couple's only child and the only grandchild of legendary 6666 Ranch owner Samuel "Burk" Burnett.

In 1906, the family moved to Iowa Park to run the family ranch. Tandy was educated in the East. However, she spent summers back in Texas learning ranching from her father and grandfather.

In 1918, when Tandy was 18, her parents divorced and she went to live with her grandparents and mother in Fort Worth. In 1922, Samuel Burnett, Tandy's grandfather, left her his full estate in his will. However, his widow, Mary Couts Burnett, successfully contested the will and received $3 million. Tandy received the rest of the estate, including the 6666 Ranch.

Tandy's father died in December 1938 and left his ranching operation to her, making Tandy one of the wealthiest women in Texas.

In 1940, Tandy was instrumental in creating the American Quarter Horse Association in Fort Worth.

Tandy had four marriages; the first marriage was to Guy Waggoner and ended in divorce. Her second marriage to James Goodwin Hall produced one daughter, Anne. That marriage ended in divorce, and she then married Robert Windfohr, who died in 1964. In 1969 she married Charles David Tandy, founder of Tandy Corp. in Fort Worth.

Tandy was an avid philanthropist and active in the community. In 1975, she along with her husband Charles received the Golden Deeds Award from the Fort Worth Exchange Club. This award recognizes outstanding service to Fort Worth.

Tandy was the first woman to be a member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the West Texas Chamber of Commerce. She served on the boards of the Amon Carter Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.

Tandy continued her involvement with the ranching and horse community. She served as a director of the First National Bank and the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show (later the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show) and served on the board of directors for the Ranching Heritage Association in Lubbock. Tandy served as honorary vice president of both the American Quarter Horse Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, due to her contributions to the organizations. In 1978, Tandy founded the AQAH Hall of Fame.

Tandy established the Anne Burnett Tandy and Charles D. Tandy Foundation in 1978 after her husband Charles died.

Tandy died Jan. 1, 1980, in Fort Worth. After her passing, she was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association posthumously in 1990, the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 1994, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2002.

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Photo:Anne Valliant Burnett Tandy

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