There's a group of local women who get together, dress up as pioneer women, have a good time and help others in the process. 

Martha Birkett founded the Women of the Wild West over a decade ago. 

"I actually had this idea in 2006 to bring a group of women together to dress up as the trailblazers of women from 100 years ago with the purposes of doing some charity work and helping women and children in need." 

She says once you become a Wildie you get to choose your identity and work with their costume designer for your own unique pioneer look. 

Birkett takes on the identity of Annie Oakley and says everyone has their own persona including there own Calamity Jane, Diamond Lil and Klondike Kate Ryan.

"We've helped with a lot of different charities and we do a lot of parades we have a lot of fun together, lots of camaraderie. Some of us ride horses and some of us are on foot."

She says they've held fundraisers and helped to raise money for local non profits including Big Hill Haven.

"We support the Cowboy Poetry events when they have their annual events. We have lots of different charities including the Children's Wish Foundation. The very first one we did was the one that was Giddy Up for Wishes where I rode horses from Ottawa to Cochrane and there was big involvement from Women of the Wild West. We do quite a few different parades including the Cochrane one and the Calgary Stampede parade."

Birkett says if you're interested in joining the group they are holding a potluck gathering and meeting on March 11.

You can find more information about the group and directions to the meeting by going here.