BLAZE Magazine Special Edition 2006-2016 | Page 10

many to her throne. Even, Queen Victoria, an avid supporter, marveled at Annie’s accomplishments. Annie beat many a man in what was traditionally a man’s world. Her charismatic personality, coupled by a humbling presence, cap- tured the eye of Irving Berlin, who made her the subject of the Broadway musical, “Annie Get Your Gun.” A fundamentalist in religion, she kept her life straightforward. Her passion and willingness to serve motivated her efforts to educate 18 orphan girls. Her life was an example that inspired many women who faced challenge in their daily lives. In 1901, Annie suffered a spinal injury from a train wreck. Five surgeries and temporary paralysis did not keep Annie from sharing what she loved and knew best…shooting! In 1922, prior to her death in 1926, Annie competed in a shooting contest in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Oakley hit 100 clay targets straight from 16 yards. She hoebe Ann Mozee was born in was 62 years old! Patterson Township, Ohio, on August 13, 1860. She was raised on a rented farm, and was the fifth of seven children. Her siblings called her Annie. Her father died in 1866 from pneumonia. Annie’s mother had to put Annie in the care of the superintendent of the county poor farm where she learned to sew. Annie Oakley P Annie began to shoot game at age nine to support her mother and siblings. By the time she was twelve, she could shoot the head off of a running quail. By the time she was sixteen, she had gained a reputa- tion and was off to Cincinnati to enter a shooting contest with Frank E. Butler, an accomplished marksman. She won the contest as well as winning the heart of Mr. Butler. Married in 1876, Annie traveled with her husband and performed in their shooting act. Mr. Butler realized her talent and gave her the spot- light. In 1885, she joined the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody Wild West Show. Annie took the stage name Oakley, believed to be after the city Oakley, Ohio! For seventeen, years, she continued to light up the eyes of her beholders. One day she shot 4,472 of 5,000 glass balls tossed in midair. Unknowingly, Annie introduced the shooting field sport of “moving targets”, known today as sport- ing clays, skeet and trap. Other amazing shots included shooting the end of a ciga- rette held in her husband’s lips and hitting the edge of a playing card from 30 paces! Annie’s charm and modesty gathered 10 | | SPECIAL EDITION 2006-2016 Molly Brown M argaret “Maggie” Tobin Brown was born July 18, 1867 in Hannibal, Missouri. As a teenager she worked in a mercantile store and her brother in the mines. In 1886, she married James Joseph Brown and moved to Stumpftown, Colorado where they opened a soup kitchen for the mining families. Maggie, a philanthropist, became involved with the women’s suffrage movement. James, a miner, was promoted to superintendent. She and James moved to Denver. Maggie was one of the found- ers of the Denver Women’s Club, which assisted women and children and worked to begin one of the first juvenile courts in the country. Blazing the trail, motivated her pursuit to battle for a seat in Congress, EVEN before women received the right to vote. Aim at a high mark and you will hit. No not the first time, nor the second and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally, you’ll hit the Bull’s-Eye of Success.” - Annie Oakley During a trip to Egypt, Maggie learned that her grandson had become ill. Maggie immediately ticketed a seat on the Titanic. Traveling the seas to the call of her grandson would not be the only cry for help she would witness. Her heartfelt passion and fluency in lan- guages embellished her strengths to aid her fel- low passengers during the sinking of the Titanic. In recognition of her service, in 1932, the French Legion of Honor recognized Margaret Tobin Brown “The Unsinkable Molly Brown”, for her efforts during the sinking and her work with min- ers, women and children. Maggie died in New York, on October 26, 1932. Accept No Limits | outdoorwomenunlimited.org