Annie Jones
Annie Jones is easily the most well-known bearded lady, having been a part of the circus since nine months of age. Having been born with hirsutism, her parents chose the life for her, realizing they could make money off their child.12 And make money she did, outearning many of her counterparts in the circus, even in her youth. Annie knew no other life than the circus, but she made the most that she could of that life. She didn’t enjoy simply being stared at, so she learned different instruments and etiquette so she could perform a talent. As part of her act, she played up the womanly aspects of her, to show that she was not as frightening as people thought she may be.
During her time with Barnum and Bailey, she even advocated against the usage of the word “freak” to describe the sideshow performers, as it was dehumanizing and pushed the idea that they were so far removed and ‘other’ from the general public. As someone who spent her entire life in the circus, she was an exceptional advocate for the protection and integrity of circus sideshow performers and circus women.