Annie Oakley
The American sharpshooter who became the first American female superstar when she performed in a traveling 'Wild West' show that performed for the heads of states and royalty.
Phoebe Ann Mosey
other
August 13, 1860
Leo
November 3, 1926
66
Woodland, Ohio
Annie Oakley was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. She gained international fame for her shooting skills and was one of the first women to compete professionally in shooting matches. Oakley performed in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show and was a renowned ambassador for American western culture. Other notable achievements include teaching over 15,000 women how to shoot and serving as an advocate for women’s rights. Oakley’s legacy continues to inspire generations of shooters and performers.
Annie Oakley got her name from her time hunting as a child to support her family. She was so successful at providing food for them that a local hotel owner would exclaim, “Here comes ‘Little Sure Shot’,” whenever she entered the establishment with her game. The nickname stuck and Annie Oakley went on to become an international sensation for her shooting skills.
Annie Oakley was a philanthropist and used her skills to raise money for various charitable organizations throughout her life. She would often auction off her personal items, such as shooting medals and guns, to raise the money. Oakley also donated some of her own money to orphanages and widows’ funds. She continued to give back throughout her life and saw charity work as an important part of her legacy.
