10 Facts You Didn't Know About Famed Trick Shooter Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley is one of the most legendary women in United States history. Annie’s claim to fame was her impressive hand-eye coordination, which led her to become one of the greatest trick shooters of all time.

While well-known for her skills with guns and in the saddle, much of Annie’s personal life remains shrouded in mystery. Here are 10 interesting facts that you may not know about “Little Miss Sure Shot.”

1) Annie Oakley was not the real name of the famous trick shooter:

Yes, it may surprise some to learn that Annie Oakley’s real name was Phoebe Ann Moses.

2) She could outshoot her husband:

In a story that should be told over and over again, Annie gained the attention of her future husband when she outshot him in a contest.

3) She was a good shot as a child:

Annie picked up a gun for the first time at the age of eight, and the rest is history!

4) Annie embraced her femininity in a male dominated field:

While many other ladies in the Wild West chose to dress like males, Annie chose to wear dresses.

5) “Little Miss Sure Shot” is an accurate description of Annie: 

Tiny in stature, Annie Oakley was barely five feet tall.

6) She wanted to lead a female army during the Spanish American War:

The President at the time of the war, William McKinley, declined Annie’s offer to lead a female army, as women were not allowed to fight.

7) Annie made her own costumes:

A large part of why Annie made her own costumes was due to the fact that she wanted to represent her femininity while shooting.

8) She took care of her family:

As a teenager, Annie hunted to earn money to help pay off her mother’s $200 mortgage.

9) A couple of accidents put a stop to Annie’s career:

No one knows just how long Little Miss Sure Shot would have continued to shoot, but two separate accidents left her unable to continue her career.

10) She is an inspiration for women everywhere: 

Annie Oakley changed history when she broke the mold and pursued her dreams, regardless of what other people thought.