Reba McEntire has been named the first recipient of Billboard's Woman of the Year award. The honor, which will be presented during an Oct. 5 breakfast at the Core Club in New York, coincides with the

Reba McEntire has been named the first recipient of Billboard's Woman of the Year award. The honor, which will be presented during an Oct. 5 breakfast at the Core Club in New York, coincides with the magazine's second annual Women in Music issue.

The award was established to recognize extraordinary women in the music industry who have made significant contributions to the business and who, through their hard work and continued success, inspire generations of women to take on increasing responsibilities within the field.

"Reba is an inspiration to women everywhere and we are delighted to be presenting her with this award," says Billboard group editorial director Tamara Conniff.

"I am thrilled to be selected as Woman of the Year by Billboard," McEntire says. "Although my career has taken me to TV, film and Broadway, music is and always will be my first love. I am touched to be embraced in such a warm way."

McEntire's new album, "Reba Duets," arrives tomorrow (Sept. 18) via MCA. The project finds her teamed with such superstars as Don Henley, Justin Timberlake, Brooks & Dunn, Carole King and Vince Gill.