June 13, 2026 marked the first annual Minnie Mae Day celebration in Lexington. Many events and people came together on this day to celebrate and honor Minnie Mae Talbott, a hidden treasure of Lexington, starting in the morning with a play and ending in the evening with a country music concert called “Voices of Courage.”

At least one descendant of Minnie Mae Talbott was in the crowd.

Minnie Mae Talbott was sworn in on June 8, 1919 as America’s first elected female sheriff. The 36 year old mother of 5 had just buried her husband, Lafayette County Sheriff Joseph Talbott, after he and two other officers were killed in the line of duty. Two weeks later, the overwhelming majority of Lafayette County’s all male electorate elected her over a male opponent, at a time when women couldn’t even vote.

Her story, which highlights courage, kindness and service over fear, is told in the screenplay, “Widow’s Badge,” which was presented to the crowd on the courthouse steps. Playwright Jamie Hoyt had already had a career in law enforcement herself when Minnie Mae’s portrait in the Lexington Historical Museum captured her attention. It was the picture of Minnie Mae, her energy, that made Jamie want to know more. Jamie notes that the stories she loves show people facing adversity and how they become stronger. The written screenplay for “Widow’s Badge” has won multiple awards, and Jamie is now in the process of getting it produced.

After the presentation of the play, Jamie in her character as Minnie Mae invited the women and girls in the crowd up to the courthouse steps to be “sworn in.” The oath says in part: “I promise to be brave when bravery is needed, kind when kindness is needed, and strong when strength is needed. I will treat others with fairness and respect, and I will remember that I deserve fairness and respect, too… I will think before I act, listen before I judge, and lead with both wisdom and compassion… Like Minnie Mae Talbott, I will walk forward with courage, lead by example, and leave the path a little wider for the girls who come after me.”

Other artists have also been inspired by Minnie Mae and her story. Singer-songwriter Angie Casale has written and recorded an entire country music album about Minnie Mae and Lexington. The first song, “Minnie Mae,” includes the lines: In Lafayette County, where the river bends slow, Just outside Lexington a long time ago, Sheriff went down, left a badge in the dust, Folks said that job needs a man we can trust… Minnie Mae wore that badge like it was born to shine, Drew a bold new line in a different time, When the doubters talked she held her ground, Turned courthouse whispers to a legend sound.

The beautifully written and performed album, especially the song “Oh Lexington,” will resonate with anyone who loves this town and country music. The album, “Minnie Mae Day 2026,” is on Spotify.

Carrie Melte, who is Linn County, Missouri’s first female sheriff, was invited to the event as a guest speaker. “Women sheriffs do face some unique challenges,” she said, “But I’m here to show the younger women and girls that they can do whatever they set their minds to.”

Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputy Taegan Gast has researched the life of Minnie Mae. She said, “It is nice to recognize something as unique as this that has been tucked away in our history for so long.”

Lafayette County Sheriff Aaron Dye said: “It’s an honor to have this in our county, to recognize Minnie Mae Talbott. This story doesn’t have as much recognition as it should, so it’s an honor to know that we’re doing this today to get her story known.”

This was Lafayette County’s first Minnie Mae Day, but it won’t be the last. Plans are in the works for a bigger celebration next year, the Smithsonian is interested and is getting involved, and we can expect great things ahead.

the legacy of America’s first elected female sheriff.