First professional film stuntwoman

The first professional stuntwoman was Helen Gibson, who doubled for Helen Holmes in the first 26 episodes of Kalem's serial The Hazard's of Helen (US14). Trained as a trick rider, she proved herself adept at other hair-raising exploits, including jumping a speeding motorcycle on to a fast moving locomotive. Generally during this period, actresses were doubled in dangerous scenes by men in drag. Since the introduction of the Sex Equality Act in the USA, it is illegal for stuntmen to double for actresses unless no stuntwoman is willing to take on the assignment.