Elvira Sansoni
Her real name unknown, Elvira Sansoni was one of the early strong women of the circus, performing for the Great Wallace Shows from 1895-1897. Described as a ‘Female Sandow’, her performance was likely associated with the strong man Eugen Sandow, comparing her strength to his. Elvira was performing around the same time as famous strong woman Katie Sandwina, who eventually bested Eugen in a lifting battle and took his last name.