One of the ways Mary Rickert stays involved in agriculture is running a ranch with her husband, Jim. Photo by Pablo Vescia.
In the late 1960s, Mary Rickert watched anxiously from the sidelines as her older brothers participated in FFA events. Her family’s blue-and-gold roots began with the organization’s inception, as her grandfather started the California FFA Association and her father worked as regional supervisor for vocational education.
Although Rickert took agriculture classes, was raised on a farm and was eager to join FFA, there was one problem: It was an all-male organization.
So, Rickert and seven young women made the case for female membership at the 1969 California State FFA Convention, and were soon voted in as members. That same year, the National FFA Organization also approved female membership.
“It was a real turning point,” Rickert says. “It was finally time for us to hone in our leadership skills and develop ourselves.”
California FFA State Advisor Charles Parker agrees, adding that women added a level of competition. The first year Rickert was allowed to compete, for example, she earned the high individual award in dairy cattle judging at state finals.
Rickert and her livestock project were featured in a 1968 issue of The Sacramento Bee. Photo courtesy of Mary Rickert.
“Change is historically difficult, no matter how right it is to change,” says Parker, who has been involved in FFA since 1971. “But it was a long time coming.”
Moving Forward
More than 50 years later, Rickert and her husband, Jim, ranch near Redding, Calif. She’s served on volunteer boards, founded an education foundation and was appointed to the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Rickert credits her FFA involvement with developing the skills and confidence necessary to advocate for agriculture and give back to her community.
“FFA provides the foundation for maturity, public speaking skills and leadership to hit the ground running as a young person,” she says.
Today, Rickert’s granddaughters proudly sport FFA jackets.
“When they put them on, it takes my breath away,” she adds. “It’s rewarding to know they’ll be able to reap the benefits of such an incredible organization.”
Investing in Others
The National FFA Organization’s Impact FFA: Women Growing Women initiative was launched in 2009 to raise funds to support female FFA members who wish to become ag teachers. Since then, it’s evolved and includes an expanding network between FFA members and women working in agriculture.
“Impact FFA is working to create pathways for the young women excelling in the classroom to continue their talents into a career,” says Kimberly Coveney, National FFA Foundation senior manager of individual giving.
Want to make a difference in others’ lives? Email mentoring@ffa.org or become a member of the Forever Blue Network and join the Impact FFA group.
Setting an Example
Rickert is one of countless women who paved the way for change. Dive deeper into the path of granting female FFA membership — and the people who helped make it happen.
