Women’s empowerment comes in many forms, now it comes with a familiar face, Arizona Women’s Roller Derby.
I remember watching the women of the roller derby as a child. The women were very different from the other women of the era. Their competitive and edgy nature was a contrast to the somewhat conservative women of the time.
I recently had the privilege of attending a local AZ Roller Derby Dames event where the motto is “Live Fast, Die Pretty.” There I met Alane Roby, aka “Lady Lawless,” the captain of the AZ Bombshells. She was not at all what I expected. She speaks highly of her team mates and gave me some insight to the lives of these amazing women. In addition to their strong competitive nature these women have integrity and substance. The team is made up of strong degreed professionals who juggle career, family, and their love of the Derby. They all share a sense of camaraderie with their team mates.
I was impressed with Lady Lawless as she filled me in on the bios of a few of her team mates. Her team consists of an architect, a nurse, an accountant, an HR manager, and even a mechanic in the Air Force who, at 23 years old, is the youngest member of the Roller Derby team.
They also mentor young girls from the ages of 7-17. These girls are taught important lessons both on and off the track. The women make regular appearances at the Phoenix Children’s hospital burn unit, their chosen charity. A first glance at these women donning their costumes might be a bit intimidating but once you sit down with them you realize they are just like the rest of us, mothers, daughters, and sisters, who come together on the track to support one another and try to make a difference. These women spend all their free time devoted to each other and their team.
Alane Roby, team captain of the Bombshells is an attorney by day. She is an advocate for victims of horrendous crimes. To me she is a hero and a shining example that women can do anything. As a woman, watching them in action makes me proud of them and allows me to fondly reflect on my childhood memory of the Roller Derby girls.
