RANGE magazine’s publisher and editor, C.J. Hadley, receives WRMA’s first time ever Lifetime Achievement Award
Featured photo by ownbeyphotography.com
RANGE magazine editor Caroline Joy Hadley (CJ) was honored with the first ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Will Rogers Medallion Awards (WRMA) committee. CJ attended the annual WRMA banquet in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 23, 2021, and was surprised by the high honor recognizing her three-plus decades of superlative work portraying “The Cowboy Spirit on America’s Outback.” CJ began publishing RANGE in 1991 and served as publisher and editor of the magazine itself as well as numerous books about ranching and the popular Real Buckaroo calendars. Having been graced with many Will Rogers Gold Medallions in years past, CJ easily qualified for the award and became its first honoree. WRMA explains:
“The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes authors, publishers and illustrators who have made significant contributions to Western Literature and Media throughout their careers. To be eligible, recipients must have received at least one Will Rogers Medallion in three different years; demonstrated a consistently high level of excellence in publications and/or media; and diligently combined entertainment with an understanding of the history, traditions and values of the American West. Additionally, recipients must have shown enduring respect for the West’s history, values and traditions as Will Rogers himself demonstrated through written, visual, and recorded media over his lifetime. His career serves as the standard by which all Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are judged for their contributions to the ongoing legacy of the American West.“
The commendation on CJ’s WRMA plaque reads, in part:
In recognition of her exemplary leadership and editorial talents in publishing the consistently high quality of RANGE magazine and its library of outstanding publications, all demonstrating her commitment to furthering the well-being of rural Americans and the survival of their farm-and-ranch way of life while celebrating the beauty and sanctity of the Western landscape and its unique inhabitants, both animal and human, and protecting Americans’ precious Freedoms as gifted to us by the hard work, sacrifices and blood of our forebears.
Responding to her Lifetime Achievement award, CJ says, “When Charles Williams announced the award at the banquet I was stunned. I wept. That is one sweet and lovely gift!”
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There is no one more deserving of this award. C.J. Has taught me much over the decades. I am honored to be a small part of her efforts in support of family ranchers. Besides she is great fun to spend time with and tells great stories.
This prestigious award could not have been more appropriately vested. It recognizes & celebrates Ms. Hadley’s unique, wonderful & treasured body of work, and reflects well the great respect of her peers and the deep appreciation & genuine love of her readers.
Congratulations, CJ!
John Hoak
Big Horn, WY
Congrats on the awards. Practice roping some and old Will R might get jealous. LOL.