10 Fearless Female Outlaws & Gunslingers of the Old West

The Wild West was not solely a man’s domain. In saloons, on horseback, and even behind the barrel of a gun, women carved out their own legends, defying societal norms and expectations.  

This is a tribute to 10 such remarkable women: outlaws, gunslingers, and sportswomen who rode, shot, and lived life on their own terms. 

1. Annie Oakley (1860-1926)

A renowned sharpshooter who captivated audiences worldwide with her unmatched marksmanship, Oakley’s fame soared as a star performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, showcasing her skills and challenging gender norms.

2. Pearl Hart (1871-1955)

A daring woman who defied convention, Hart etched her name in history by robbing a stagecoach in Arizona, becoming a symbol of female defiance in a male-dominated world.

3. Belle Starr (1848-1889)

A legendary figure known for her association with notorious outlaws, Starr’s reputation as the “Bandit Queen” was cemented by her alleged involvement in various criminal activities, making her an iconic outlaw of the Wild West.

4. Laura Bullion (1876-1961)

A skilled cardsharp and trusted accomplice of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Bullion’s involvement with the Wild Bunch gang solidified her reputation as a cunning and daring outlaw.

5. Calamity Jane (1856-1903)

A frontierswoman renowned for her adventurous spirit and association with Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane’s stories of scouting, fighting, and surviving in the harsh Wild West solidified her status as a legendary figure.

6. Bonnie Parker (1910-1934)

Bonnie Parker, along with her partner Clyde Barrow, formed one of the most notorious outlaw couples of the 1930s. Though she was only 23 years old when she died, Bonnie left a lasting legacy as a bold and ruthless criminal. 

7. Goldie Griffith (1893 – 1976)

Goldie Griffith was a pioneering female athlete who became a boxer and wrestler in Blanche Whitney’s Athletic Show before joining Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in the early 1900s.

Years later, discovering her husband Harry Sterling was a wanted bigamist and murderer, she fired (and missed) several shots at him. Arrested, she continued to profess her murderous intent. 

8. Rose Dunn (1878 – 1955)

Rose Dunn, also known as “Rose of Cimarron,” was a young woman who gained notoriety for her association with the notorious outlaw gang led by the Doolin-Dalton gang in Oklahoma in the 1890s.

She was present during a shootout between the gang and U.S. Marshals in 1893, but did not participate in the violence.

9. Etta Place (1878 – unknown)

Etta Place was the mysterious companion of the famous outlaw duo the Sundance Kid and Butch Cassidy. Little is known for certain about her origins, but she was likely born in the eastern United States in the late 1800s.

10. Mary Katherine Haroney (1849 – 1940)

Also known as “Big Nose Kate,” Mary Katherine Haroney was the longtime companion of the gunman Doc Holliday. Though not an outlaw herself, Kate was known for her fiery temper and willingness to break the law to protect Holliday. In 1879, Kate set fire to a hotel in Tombstone, Arizona to create a distraction so Holliday could escape from lawmen. 

These women represent the few female outlaws and gunslingers who made their mark on the history of the American frontier. Though their stories are often romanticized, they demonstrate the grit and daring of some of the toughest women of the Old West.