Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker will receive the Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons award in October.

The former Republican senator will be honored during a community dinner and tribute Oct. 4 during the 10th annual Gordon Parks Celebration in Fort Scott.

Gordon Parks is Fort Scott’s most famous native son. Parks, a noted photographer, writer, poet, musician and filmmaker, died in 2006.

Kassebaum Baker became the first female senator from Kansas in 1978 when she was elected to the first of three six-year terms. She was also instrumental in helping create the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.