OWASSO, Okla. — An 18-year-old woman has become the first ever female Eagle Scout in the Will Rogers District.

She also is the first female Cherokee Nation citizen to receive the rank in that area. A rank that only 6% of Scouts ever achieve.

Abigail Hensley was presented the rank at the Faith Lutheran Church in Owasso, where her troop meets.

She joined the Boy Scouts about two years ago. Hensley earned many of her badges during the pandemic and met with her troop via Zoom.

Hensley said earning the rank is exciting.

“It’s really exciting to be able to show the girls in my troop what they can look up to, and also just that I can show other people that ‘hey I can do this’ and ‘hey this is a thing’, letting people know that ‘hey females can be in Scouts too.’”

For her Eagle Scout project she worked with the Cherokee Nation to create a permanent marble field at the Rogers County Cherokee Association in Claremore.

“I was excited to be able to do something that connected me back to my heritage for my Eagle project,” Hensley said. “There’s not a Cherokee marble pit anywhere near here. There’s one in Tahlequah and that’s it. So I thought it would be really cool to bring culture more around Oklahoma.”

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Abigail actually achieved her Eagle Scout rank in June, but she was awarded her badge and neckerchief while being honored at a special Eagle Court on Aug. 9.

Around 100 guests were there, including Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

Hoskin said it was an honor to present her badge and that she was unquestionably qualified. Hensley was also presented with an Eagle feather for bravery.

Maryann Edgington, Abigail’s Scout Master, said she hopes Abigail will inspire other girls to join the Scouts.

“Because of the friendships they make, the things they get to experience, not just in the outdoors, but what they learn for the rest of their lives, these are going to be the friends that they’re going to remember,” said Edgington.

Abigail also said the Scouts has helped her decide what she wants to do for her career. She gained an aviation badge and now wants to be a commercial pilot.

Even though she’s now an Eagle Scout, she also isn’t giving up on Scouts. She said she still wants to help out with her troop.

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