Empowered Ladies of the 1910s Trap Shooting Club

This historical photograph from around 1910 to 1915 features the Nemours Trap Shooting Club for ladies, capturing a moment when women actively participated in a sport often dominated by men. Shot by the Bain News Service, the image reveals a unique aspect of womens social history, highlighting their engagement in outdoor sports and the breaking of traditional gender roles of the era. The context of trap shooting during this time is significant, as it was an emerging sport that not only showcased marksmanship but also fostered camaraderie among its participants.

The Nemours Trap Shooting Club, likely named after the estate of the du Pont family in Delaware, symbolizes the growing acceptance of women in various activities previously deemed unsuitable. By participating in trap shooting, women asserted their capability and independence at a time when social norms were beginning to shift. The photograph serves as a window into a transforming society where women began to take active roles outside the domestic sphere, reflecting broader changes that would unfold through the twentieth century.