In 1927, Marland had the idea that a statue should be erected to honor the spirit of the women who played such a significant role in the settling of this part of the country. He hired 12 artists to submit their own design, for which each was paid $10,000.

The twelve miniature 3-foot statues toured the country by train, traveling to 12 different cities in six months. The statues were viewed by 750,000 people who cast votes for their favorite. The overwhelming favorite was the monument of a confident woman and her young son, created by sculptor Bryant Baker of New York. The statue stands 17 feet high and weighs 12,000 pounds. It is mounted on a pyramid limestone base, making the total height over 30 feet. (Left: Lydie and E.W. Marland admire the Pioneer Woman Statue prior to its installation on the stone base.)