Aug. 19, 2026
enth class of inductees to include seven women
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas TV) — As part of its Arkansas Live initiative, Arkansas TV will livestream the 10th annual Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony Thursday, Aug. 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at arkansastv.gov/arkansaslive.
The Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame honors women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas in their community or the state. The Hall of Fame inducts contemporary (living) or historical (deceased) women who have made significant and enduring contributions to their field of endeavor, professional or otherwise; impacted the social, cultural, economic or political well-being of the community, state or nation; elevated the status of women and positively impacted women and girls; helped open new frontiers for women and for society in general; and inspired others by their example.
2026 Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame inductees include:
- Cynthia East – Community service advocate and entrepreneur.
- Marsha Martin – Creative product designer, businesswoman and philanthropist.
- Cynthia E. Nance – Educator, philanthropist, lawyer and Arkansas TV Commission member.
- Sharon Allen (1944-2021) – Healthcare insurance trailblazer and advocate.
- Phyllis Brandon (1935-2020) – Journalist.
- Dorothy Caldwell (1935-2023) – Nutrition advocate and pioneer.
- Vada Sheid (1916-2008) – Arkansas’s first female legislator.
The Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame depends on members of the public to nominate extraordinary women for induction. Nominations are accepted from organizations or individuals throughout the state. A diverse group of Arkansas citizens is recruited to act as a selection committee. The selection committee reviews all nominations, performs additional research if necessary, and selects nominees for induction into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame.
Additional information is available at arwomenshalloffame.com.
Arkansas Live is an initiative from Arkansas TV that brings compelling special events directly to Arkansans via vivid, multi-camera livestreaming. Viewers gain front-row access to some of the most in-demand events across the state, including livestreams from Arkansas Community Foundation, Crystal Bridges, Arkansas Department of Heritage, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and more.
About the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame
The goal of the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame (AWHOF) is to honor, in perpetuity, women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas in their community or the state. The AWHOF inducts contemporary (living) or historical (deceased) women who have been born in and achieved prominence within the state, or been a resident of Arkansas for an extended period after achieving prominence here or elsewhere and have: - made significant and enduring contributions to their field of endeavor, professional or otherwise.
- impacted the social, cultural, economic or political well-being of the community, state or nation.
- elevated the status of women and positively impacted women and girls.
- helped open new frontiers for women and for society in general.
- inspired others by their example.
The project started as a partnership between the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and Arkansas Business Publishing Group, and now the effort has a board of directors guiding the project.
About Arkansas TV
Arkansas TV, Arkansas’s only statewide public television network, informs and inspires learners of all ages through local storytelling, educational resources and meaningful community partnerships. Local programs can be livestreamed at arkansastv.gov/live and accessed on demand at youtube.com/@arkansastv. Arkansas TV also offers five broadcast services: Arkansas TV (main channel), Create, PBS KIDS, WORLD and AIRS on SAP. Arkansas TV depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering locally produced, Arkansas-focused programming. Additional information is available at arkansastv.gov. Arkansas TV is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), KETZ (El Dorado), KETS (Russellville), KETS (Forrest City), KETS (Yancy) and KETS (Gaither).
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