Annie Oakley use a gun for the empowering image that it gave. Laura Browder discusses how Oakley's stardom gave hope to women and youth in "Her Best Shot: Women and Guns In America". Oakley pressed for women to be independent and educated. She was a key influence in the creation of the image of the American cowgirl. Through this image, she provided substantial evidence that women are as capable as men when offered the opportunity to prove themselves. Annie Oakley Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Her amazing
Annie Oakley they resided. Some people believe she took on the name because that was the name of the man who had paid her train fare when she was a child. They joined "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" in 1885. At five feet tall, Oakley was given the nickname of "Watanya Cicilla" by fellow performer Sitting Bull, rendered "Little Sure Shot" in the public advertisements. During her first engagement with the Buffalo Bill show, Oakley experienced a tense professional rivalry with rifle sharpshooter Lillian Smith. Smith was eleven years younger than Oakley, age 15 at the time she joined the show in 1886,