Inspiring Women of the West
Hi, everyone. I’m KyLee Woodley, and I’m delighted to join you here at Petticoats & Pistols to talk about my love for strong, western women.
When people read the tag line for my book—A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard—they often pause after the last clause and say something along the lines of, “Wait the outlaw is a woman?” To which I respond, “Yep.”
The female bandit element sets book one apart in the Outlaw Hearts series because western lovers find the outlaw motif thrilling; throw in the fact that she is a woman, and you have the start of a compelling character. But what drives a female bandit who is still smart, ladylike, and brave? Let’s look at the historical women who helped to inspire Lorraine Durand—the heroine of The Bandit’s Redemption.
“God intended women to be outside as well as men, and they do not know what they are missing when they stay cooped up in the house.” – Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley (1860–1926) was born in a log cabin in Darke County, Ohio, and grew up in poverty. She honed her shooting skills by hunting game to feed her family. When she was still in her teens, a local hotel owner invited her to compete in a sharpshooting contest against professional marksman Frank E. Butler, whom she later married. They joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in the 1880s. Annie, known as “Little Miss Sure Shot,” was famous for her sharpshooting and trick performances, including shooting coins in the air, rifle spinning, breaking glass balls midair, and performing blindfolded shots.
Like Annie, Lorraine is a performer. Having spent part of her childhood with a Romani band outside Paris, where she learned acrobatics and equestrian skills, she used these abilities to make her way in America. Her expertise and moral compass landed her the job of robbing a gold shipment. At the beginning of the book, her gang of outlaws overtakes a wagon full of gold guarded by the hero. Lorraine, riding horseback, stands in the saddle and vaults herself into the wagon, knocking the driver and guard unconscious before one of the gang members can shoot them.
“I name you Calamity Jane, the heroine of the plains.” ~ Captain Egan
The next female heroine of the West that inspired Lorraine is Martha “Calamity” Jane (1856–1903). Since first reading about her, I have felt a deep sense of sadness on her behalf—mainly because she had to survive from such a young age and died alone. Still, her life told through the lens of a dime novel was impressive. Calamity Jane was bold, strong, intimidating, and ruthless. Orphaned at a young age, she had to rely on her skills to survive. Jane worked in men’s clothes when necessary and was even a scout for George Armstrong Custer.
Lorraine too lost both her parents and had to survive on her own. She relied on her skills, as did Calamity Jane. Lorraine also wore men’s clothes when the job called for it, but she enjoyed the tug of skirts about her waist and the support of a proper corset. Lorraine first appears in the book wearing a Stetson cowboy hat, britches, chaps, and boots, but when the gang of outlaws must travel by train, she changes into a sky blue summer dress, complete with a bustle, ruffles, French lace, soft cotton undersleeves, and a forward-tilting hat adorned with feathers and ribbon. She is a character that blends the ruggedness of the frontier with the grace and elegance of a lady.
In a small way Miss Pearl Hart (1871 – 1955) inspired Lorraine Durand’s character because of this simple quote from the Cosmopolitan when they said Hart was “just the opposite of what would be expected of a woman stage robber,” though, “when angry or determined, hard lines show about her eyes and mouth.” Lorraine is attractive and of a modest stature. She is generally quiet and melancholic, and unlike Calamity Jane, does not come across as intimidating.
However, when provoked, she can be quite formidable as Jesse seems to realize in the quote below.
Lorraine drew her Colt, the solid handle a comfort in her palm. She twirled it, took aim at the log just behind his head, then holstered it. “Just remember this—I may be the smallest, but I am the fastest.”
“And the meanest. Likely the best aim and the smartest too. All the more reason not to ask you for assistance.” He held her gaze, eyes veiled beneath thick lashes. “That, and the fact that you are a lady.”
Finally, Etta Place was a beautiful, young outlaw who ran with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s gang, known as the Wild Bunch. She had a romantic relationship with Sundance (and possibly Butch). Her origins and death remain shrouded in mystery, making her a figure ultimately lost to history. Some reports claim she sought the Sundance Kid’s death certificate in Chile years after he escaped, later residing in San Francisco. Others believe she married boxing promoter Tex Rickard. Another theory suggests she returned to teaching after Butch and Sundance left the US.
Lorraine too mirrors Etta Place because she lives a private life, sometimes using aliases when needed and is intelligent and attractive. Like Etta, she is a private person. Etta tried to stay out of the limelight, so to speak, as does Lorraine so much so that when her face ends up on a wanted poster (spoiler alert), she takes measures to change her appearance and avoid capture.
I hope you enjoyed these simple comparisons between Lorraine Durand and these truly unique historical women. If you enjoy a historical western romance with thrilling adventure, The Bandit’s Redemption is a must-read. This is a story about a female outlaw with a dangerous past and a disgruntled heir suffering recent tragedy. In a treacherous journey across the Idaho Territory, they will have to trust each other to find the freedom they seek.
Giveaway!
KyLee is giving away one print copy of The Bandit’s Redemption to someone who leave a comment.
Who are some unconventional women you admire?
A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.
Life in the American West hasn’t been easy for French refugee Lorraine Durand. She has precious few connections and longs to return to her native land. So when the man who rescued her from a Parisian uprising following the Franco-Prussian War persuades her to help him with a deadly holdup, she reluctantly agrees. Despite his promises otherwise, the gang kidnaps a man, forcing Lorraine to grapple with the fallout of her choices even as she is drawn to the captive she’s meant to guard.
Jesse Alexander must survive. If not for himself, then for the troubled sister he left behind in Los Angeles. At the mercy of his captors, he carefully works to earn Lorraine’s trust, hoping he can easily subdue her when the time comes. But as they navigate the treacherous wilderness and he searches for his opportunity to escape, he realizes there may be more to her than he first believed.
With danger lurking at every turn, they must decide whether to trust each other enough to plan a combined escape or risk falling prey to the gang’s devious schemes.
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KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches at Baylor University’s lab school in Texas where she lives with her husband of 18 years and their three teenage children. She is a writer for Wild Heart Books and is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show—a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.
In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky—a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books with her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.
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But let’s begin by defining a Western Woman. 
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