Hortense Sparks Ward (July 21, 1872 – December 5, 1944) was a pioneering Texas lawyer and women's rights activist.

Ward chose to work behind the scenes rather than in court out of fear that all-male juries might react poorly to a female lawyer.

Every year the club gives an award honoring her to a woman who is a law student that exemplifies the spirit of public service exhibited by Ward.

[2] She wrote pamphlets and newspaper articles and personally exhorted elected officials to vote for bills promoting women's legal rights.

This court, consisting of Ward, Hattie Leah Henenberg, and Ruth Virginia Brazzil, met for five months and ultimately ruled in favor of Woodmen of the World.