Deb Sullivan: A Modern-Day Annie Oakley

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 5/19/20 | P Pawela

[w1n1]

From concealed-carry class attendee to successful team competition shooter to sole owner of an ammunition company, one woman's inspiring journey through the firearms world.

America is still the greatest country in the world for allowing anyone to make their dreams come true through enough hard work, ambition and a never-ending devotion to their vision. For instance, consider the historical life of Annie Oakley. The 19th century female trailblazer became America’s sweetheart as one of the greatest shooters of all time. At a time when women were largely confined to home and their family, Oakley generated huge audiences across the country by showcasing her impressive shooting skills, all while overcoming life obstacles.
She would routinely out shoot all her male competitors during shooting demonstrations or competitions. Oakley was so popular that she eventually became one of the main attractions in "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West Traveling Show, and was so impressive with her shooting skills that famed Indian Chief Sitting Bull nicknamed her "Watanya Cicilla," which means little sure shot.

In truth, Oakley was a feminist way ahead of her time. She urged other women to participate in sports, especially the shooting sports, which were dominated by men. During the Spanish American War, Oakley volunteered her services by offering to personally organize and train 50 female sharpshooters to serve in the war, but her offer was rejected because women were not allowed to serve in combat roles.

FAST FORWARD SOME 94 years into the future, where another woman is breaking down barriers and stereotypes as the sole owner and operator of an ammunition company. For dedicated readers of American Shooting Journal, you might remember seeing Deb Sullivan in the pages of the November 2018 issue for an article on "Wo Man Camp" by Tara Dixon Engel. She was also featured in the July 2019 edition as the only woman in a 16-man T.A.P.S. class taught by ex-Delta Force operator Pat McNamara. Sullivan distinguished herself in that class by being in the top three shooters, and she might have finished even higher, were it not for technical issues with her rifle.
Indeed, the only other shooter to really best her was an officer in charge of a Special Forces battalion. Deb Sullivan’s story is that of a single mother of three managing a horse ranch and courageously stepping into the firearms industry. Sullivan did not grow up around firearms, and guns were never a topic discussed in her family. Her father was an officer in the Army when she was a very young child, but she had no recollection of his service, just the memory of his stories. She was inspired that he was on a rifle team, and reportedly was a very good shot.

Late in 2014, Sullivan noticed a newspaper advertisement for a concealed-carry class held at a local gun shop/range. There had been several break-ins in and around her neighborhood, so she worked up the nerve to attend her first concealed weapons license class. Surprisingly, Sullivan turned out to be a shooting savant, despite never so much as holding a gun!
While waiting for her CCW license to arrive, she felt driven to take more lessons and to become the most proficient shooter she could possibly be. To achieve that goal, Sullivan began competing in GSSF, or Glock Sport Shooting Foundation, competitions.

Her group, which was an all-female team, dominated the competition. The team often took first place in the ladies’ division, and sometimes took first and second in overall team competition. The ladies were eventually sponsored by T1 Ammunition because that was the ammo the women preferred, due to its low recoil which was an asset in a competition setting. T1 Ammunition would later become a major part of Deb Sullivan’s life. Read the rest of modern-day Annie Oakley.

[minnesota_bound]

Annie Get Your Gun—Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UB1YAsPD6U

Annie Oakley on Film (1894)
https://youtu.be/Pu3KGQI7iOw?t=32

The Windy City from Calamity Jane (1953) - Her singing cousin...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnUrhptPSo