Post | 05/20/2008 4:28 pm

Lost Heroines: 'My God, She's Alive!'

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

wOw remembers the women history forgot.

On October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, at the age of 63, became the first person ever to make the trip safely over Niagara Falls. This she did, amazingly enough, in a pickle barrel, with her cat.

According to reports of the event, daredevil Annie’s first words were, "I prayed every second I was in the barrel except for a few seconds after the fall when I went unconscious … Nobody ought ever to do that again!"

A teacher in Bay City, Michigan, Annie was in acute financial distress at the time of her Niagara feat and hoped the stunt’s fanfare would bring her immediate monetary gain. Alas, this was not to be. For a time, she was able to promote herself — speaking to groups, collecting fees for signatures and selling memorabilia, but that lasted only so long. Annie died in 1921, after living out the last years of her life, once again, in abject poverty.

"My God, she’s alive!" shouted Carlisle D. Graham, an onlooker, in shocked disbelief.

Read more about: History, Lost Heroines
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49 Reader Comments (so far…)

Catherine Flanagan Stover

What a gal! So much for men being the only “adventurous” of God’s creatures, and thinking up new and exciting ways to cause themselves bodily harm.

GO, ANNIE!!!!!

Just IMMAGINE what she could have done with POWER TOOLS!

By Catherine Flanagan Stover on 05/20/2008 6:39 am
elaine s

I feel sorry for the cat. What happened to the cat?

By elaine s on 05/20/2008 3:30 pm
Kay Sara

Joni, I am so grateful that you are picking up these themes. Thank you for listening. This site has the potential to be a strengthening of women’s empowerment through fostering knowledge of women’s contributions and tenacity. What women as a whole demographic lack is confidence in their power on a grander scale than the microlevel. The micro level is crucial, but until we reach out with confidence and support of our sisters for their efforts beyond the home we will not be a united force to be reckoned with. Just as in this election- the women’s vote does not get the attention of the white male blue collar vote or black vote. Now femal Obama supporters I am not advocating you support Hillary just because she is a woman. But as a gender we tend to tear other women apart quicker than we are willing to say - “Go girl!”

By Kay Sara on 05/20/2008 6:42 am
T S

Round of goosebumps #1- Reading the story of this courageous woman (thanks for the opportunity) Round of goosebumps #2- Kay Sara’s comments. Powerful points. (thank you for making them).

By T S on 05/20/2008 7:58 am
Frannie Em

Kay
HRC is running for president - that is empowerment. She is actively reaching many socio-economic groups. We are here, and now.

By Frannie Em on 05/20/2008 11:36 pm
Artemisia

I really enjoyed the article about Annie Edson Taylor and hope you will publish more amazing stories involving incredible women like her!

By Artemisia on 05/20/2008 7:05 am
CAROLINE MuLVEY

This was very helpful If Annie Edson Taylor at her age could do such a feat then maybe the Doctors will figure out what is exactly wrong with me a fix it instead of just giving me a pill to hide the symptoms. One day will come, this gives me the faith. Thank-You just what I needed.

By CAROLINE MuLVEY on 05/20/2008 7:23 am
Julie Hornberger

Hi wOwoines, I truly love this series (I hope it is a series!). It is refreshing to read about women who are strong and daring. What was really great was that the writing was informative, but also humorous. Keep up the great work.

By Julie Hornberger on 05/20/2008 7:47 am
Lisa Mende

Let’s have more stories like these. We know a handful of women in history but how wonderful to learn of others.

By Lisa Mende on 05/20/2008 8:04 am
Mai Veide

There’s probably lots of women who never got the fame they deserved. This is exactly the kind of stuff I want to see on your site. I hope you’ll have more items like this one.

By Mai Veide on 05/20/2008 8:13 am
J W

I had no idea about her, and I’m sure there are lots of women that fit this bill as well as Annie did. Great idea to have this section and I can’t wait to see who else shows up. Keep it up.

By J W on 05/20/2008 8:29 am
Kelly Kelly

yes.. more stories like these! Can I add my mom who at 14 hitchiked from idaho to la jolla and camped on a beach until a relative came and got her and made her go home :) wow… can you imagine a beach in la jolla in 1939?

By Kelly Kelly on 05/20/2008 9:13 am
Bonnie Oliver

Yes, Kelly Kelly, Good for your Mom at age 14. Now, my Mom at age 65 was still able to surf at Waikiki Beach. Every year she would go over and stay at one of the less expensive hotels but each morning go over to the Royal Hawaiian and rent a surfboard from the kiosk outside on the beach. I tried but was never successful. Our amazing mothers.

By Bonnie Oliver on 05/20/2008 4:07 pm
Bonnie Oliver

Note to the WOW managers. Thanks so much for the story of Annie!

By Bonnie Oliver on 05/20/2008 4:10 pm
Gracie Tina

Well, finally someone on this site has written about - and given us a peek into - the life of a truly interesting and brave woman. It’s not only the women sitting at the head of a Board or running the meeting or whose name is on the masthead who interests us. (that can wear thin) It’s also the woman who grabs her cat, gets in a barrel and goes over Niagara Falls. Eccentric. Brave. Forgotten. Enough drivel like “What Appliance Do I Want to Be?” How about giving us more history lessons like this one.

By Gracie Tina on 05/20/2008 9:30 am
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