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Women of the West: Dr. Temple Grandin

Dr. Temple Grandin at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 2012 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Our Women of the West blog series is being brought to you by the Museum’s Annie Oakley Society which raises awareness of the outstanding women in all walks of life who exemplify the character, perseverance, and moral fiber in the tradition of Annie Oakley.


Meet Temple Grandin

Massachusetts native, Temple Grandin (b. 1947), is a pioneer in two fields” autism awareness and animal science. She credits he mother as a significant reason for both.

Autism Awareness

As a child, Temple exhibited characteristics now commonly associated with autism. In the 1940s and 1950s, however, there was little information about the condition and doctors recommended that she be institutionalized. Her mother refused and committed her time and resources to ensure Temple received the best education and encouragement possible.

Animal Science

Grandin earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology; a master’s in animal science; and a PhD in animal science from the University of Illinois. She specializes in cattle behavior and has revolutionized the industry with her chute and pen designs. Today, more than 50% of cattle in North America are raised or processed at facilities utilizing her designs.

She has taught at Colorado State University for 25 years, written several books, and is an international speaker on both subjects – enlightening students and audiences alike.

For these contributions, she was inducted into the Museum’s Hall of Great Westerners in 2012.

You can help support the future of AOS and its mission of hands-on education of children and empowering and inspiring the next generation through a donation or by becoming a member of the Annie Oakley Society.

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“Aim at a high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, nor the second, and maybe not the third… but keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally, you will hit the bullseye of success.” – Annie Oakley

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