annieoakleycenterfoundation once wrote about her career, "When I started, there was a prejudice to live down." Ladies just did not do the things she did and still remain "ladies"--except for Annie.
Annie blazed many trails for women and girls. She showed that a woman could compete in a man's world and still remain feminine. She showed that women could be show business stars without compromising their integrity. She proved that marriage could be a loving partnership of equals. She urged women to participate in sports, particularly outdoor sports that usually were reserved to men. Thus, she pioneered the way for women in athletics.