These women are basically breaking the law by playing this famous American game. In 1895, the American Bowling Congress issued the rules which stated that women couldn’t bowl equally with men.

There were some reasons. In the beginning, the balls were made of very heavy wood. It was really hard for women to even lift the balls. The Women’s International Bowling Congress didn’t exist until 1917. But for the ladies on the photo, heavy balls, uncomfortable dresses, and the rules didn’t mean anything.