AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety has appointed the first woman Texas Ranger Major since the organization first formed in 1823.

Wende O. Wakeman has been with DPS for more than 20 years, but it's not the first time she's made history within the organization. In 2014, she became the first woman promoted to Ranger lieutenant when stationed in Laredo, Texas.

During her time at Texas Rangers headquarters in Austin, Wakeman headed the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program, a program that handles the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases.

“It is an unbelievable honor to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of this great state and to lead my fellow Texas Rangers in this capacity,” Wakeman said. “This moment in Ranger history is only possible because of the dedication and the sacrifice of so many that have come before, along with the incredible strides made by this organization over the years. I will strive to do my very best to represent the men and women of this department every day.”

With her new role, Wakeman now oversees 27 Rangers and three lieutenants across Central Texas.

Women were first able to join the Texas Rangers in 1993 under an order from then-Gov. Ann Richards. A trailblazer herself, Richards made history as the first woman appointed to statewide office in Texas in 50 years.