11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

BRUNCH • RAFFLE • KEYNOTE SPEAKER • MIMOSAS

ROCK is excited to host our 2nd Annual Cowgirl Bruncheon and welcome women from throughout the local business community for a special morning with emcee Patti Colbert and keynote speaker Ret. Rear Admiral “Tina” Christina Alvarado Shanahan. You’ll be inspired as Tina speaks on her career in the Navy, love for Paint horses, and inspires your inner spirit of Courage and Grit. 

Get Ready to Decorate Your Table

This event, hosted for the local women’s business community, will feature brunch, mimosas, raffles, a keynote speech, and a special table decorating competition. Attendees will have the opportunity to decorate their tables prior to the start of the event, where three winners will be selected by a panel of judges. We want to make sure you’re set up for success, so we’ve created a guide to everything you need to know for the day of the bruncheon. Click the button below to download the PDF.

Download Guide

Dr. Barbara Brightwell
Courage & Grit Award

ROCK is also pleased to announce the first recipient of the Dr. Barbara Brightwell Courage & Grit Award, a tribute to Dr. Barbara Brightwell’s enduring lifetime of service which was established last year. This distinguished accolade will be bestowed annually in honor of her exceptional contribution and will be awarded at the Cowgirl Bruncheon.

A Special Thank You
to Our Sponsors

Meet this year’s speakers:

Rear Admiral Christina M. “Tina” Alvarado (Ret) Shanahan

Keynote Speaker

Rear Adm. Alvarado is a registered nurse and graduate of the Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing, Alexandria, Va., Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, N.Y., and holds a Master of Health Care Administration from the University of North Carolina, School of Public Health. She has worked in the clinical areas of orthopedics, neurosurgery and intensive care.

Alvarado retired from the US Navy after 30 years of service in 2018. She was the first female of Hispanic origin to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral Upper Half. Her military awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” device and the National Defense Medal (two). Alvarado is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest service award. She was also named Columbia University School of Nursing 2011 Distinguished Alumni, is a 3-time World Champion equestrian and was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2019.

Patti Colbert

Event Emcee

Patti Colbert has been a champion in the equine industry her entire life. Colbert has worked with the Texas Quarter Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association as well as her own firm. She and her team managed the Mustang Heritage Foundation, and in 2007 created the Extreme Mustang Makeover events.

In 2014 Colbert was named the American Horse Publications, Innovator of the Year and was a recipient of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Fern Sawyer Award. In 2021, she was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Colbert currently serves on the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Board of Directors and ROCK, Ride On Center for Kids Board of Advisors. In addition, Patti continues to compete in the stock horse of Texas events and enjoys her friends and family after staying on her horse during the cow work.

Check out event photos taken
by David Valdez below: