Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we take aim at the life of Phoebe Ann Mosey, better known to history as the legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley. From her humble beginnings in an Ohio log cabin to performing for royalty as the star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, we explore how a 5-foot-tall woman became an international icon and America's first female superstar.

Tune in as we discuss:

• Surviving "The Wolves": How Annie used her hunting skills to support her impoverished family and escaped an abusive foster home she referred to as "the wolves".

• The Match That Changed Everything: The story of how a 15-year-old Annie defeated professional marksman Frank E. Butler in a shooting contest, leading to a 50-year marriage and shooting partnership.

• Little Sure Shot: Her friendship with Chief Sitting Bull, who symbolically adopted her and gave her the famous nickname "Watanya Cicilla".

• Global Stardom: Tales of her splitting playing cards at 30 paces, shooting the ashes off a cigarette held by the future Kaiser Wilhelm II, and becoming the highest-paid performer in Buffalo Bill's troupe.

• Fighting Back: Annie’s battles off the stage, including recovering from a severe train accident and winning 54 libel lawsuits against newspapers that printed false stories about her.

Join us to learn how Annie Oakley not only dazzled audiences but also championed women’s independence, teaching 15,000 women how to shoot and advocating for women to serve in the U.S. military.