Roller derby team, the Victory Dolls, shows off its skills in unique style. The team is raising money for the YWCA.
These women wear fishnets. Bright lipstick. Matching T-shirts with a vintage pinup on the front. They don the costumes and the alter egos that go with them — Hella Deville, Jilligula, Dita Von Casualties, Mount Crushmore — to roller skate around an arena at what feels like 100 mph, elbowing their opposition and using their bodies as assault weapons to give their “Jammer” a chance to score during the roller derby bout.
These are the Oklahoma Victory Dolls, and they want to help the Oklahoma City YWCA.
The Victory Dolls have teamed up with the YWCA to give a percentage of profits from every bout’s ticket sales to the organization, starting with their season-opener. The Victory Dolls play the Green Country Roller Girls Feb. 23 at Miles Roll-A-Way Rink in Oklahoma City.
It’s part of their plan to change the reputation of roller derby in Oklahoma and join the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Joining the WFTDA would be the equivalent of a new team entering the National Football League.
Jenny Broad, “Dita Von Casualties,” who works at Third Degree Advertising, said she hopes the Victory Dolls are close to joining the WFTDA.
“We’re hope to achieve it soon,” Broad said. “You have to have three letters of recommendation from other WFTDA teams, we have to travel to meet these teams and they have to prove we meet the league standards.”
WFTDA teams must be nonprofit, skater-owned and operated, and at least three years old.
Broad said she joined the roller derby team because it seemed interesting, then stayed on because of the friends she made.
“I had seen fliers posted and I didn’t think it looked like something I wanted to be involved in, but then I went to an exhibition game and it looked like so much fun.”
Broad said the sport is fun but punishing.
“We get our butts kicked quite a bit. We go full force in practice. You leave each practice feeling like you’ve been in a car wreck, but it’s a good hurt and it makes you want to do it again.”
The tiny hot pants or skirt and fishnets with T-shirt that the Victory Dolls wear shows a different side, Broad said. “It’s a bit more revealing than what I usually wear, but it’s great to be surrounded by all the team members, thinking, ‘we’re gonna kick some ass. We’ll play as good as we look.’”
Brooke Burleson also plays on the Victory Dolls team. She said the team’s focus is different from what many expect.
“We focus on sports, not entertainment,” Burleson said. “It’s still fun and campy, but it is definitely a sport, rather than just entertainment.”
Burleson carries as many scars as some football players.
“I’ve been knocked into a wall and dislocated my jaw, I’ve had a broken tailbone. I broke my tailbone the second practice.”
Burleson and Broad said they love roller derby even though it can hurt.
Broad said her friends approve. “My friends really do think it’s cool,” she said. “My parents just laughed and said ‘hope you have good health insurance.’ ”
Joshua Beasley, YWCA chief development officer, said the Victory Dolls partnership will help the YWCA reach its goals.
“Our goal is more than raising money, though the money is helpful,” Beasley said. “It’s more about raising awareness.”
Beasley said the Victory Dolls will volunteer with the YWCA during the year and may organize fundraisers.
“They’re open to anything that will promote the YWCA and empowering women. They’re very in line with our goals.”
Beasley said the Victory Dolls started working with the YWCA in November. He has never seen a roller derby bout.
“I’m looking forward to seeing my first,” Beasley said. “We’re all looking forward to being a part of this.”
Roller derby can empower women, Broad said.
“I’m an only child, so I never got to have sisters,” Broad said. “When you join roller derby you have sisters all over the place.”
“I’ve met so many great women,” Burleson said. “I’ve made bonds with my teammates, it’s a passion once you start. I love my friends, I love my job, but I love roller derby.”
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I am Tamara with the Central Oklahoma Roller Derby Association out of Stillwater, OK… We are the Stillwater league that you did a story on a few month back .. and we loved it.. Our first bout is this Sunday (Jan. 27th) at the Expo Hall in Stillwater.. The Victory Dolls are NOT affiliated with us or NEVER will be. You accidently put CORDA (Central OK Roller Derby Asso.) pic, with their article. This is a really BAD mistake,,, CORDA plays fair.. VD is known NOT to ….. Please help your local league repair this mistake,,, mabey run another article for us. you all are more than welcome to come to the bout and take pic. (Let me know who needs to come and I’ll have their name at the front and they won’t pay to get in.,. (volunteer list).. Thank You SO much.. Tamara LaMarche
Coach for CORDA (405)590-5951 if you need to call.
PART 2 WE’RE NOT MAD…. WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND ALL YOU DO !!
In the picture that you posted are
Amy - Betty Wants It
Teresa - Torri Slaymost
Tamara - Twister~T~
I told the two other skaters that I was sure you all would help US out.. We know it was just a mistake…
Woot! I’m READY!
As a skater for the Victory Dolls, I would like the O’Colly and its readers to know that publicly bad-mouthing other leagues is not general practice among most leagues or individual skaters, as it does nothing to promote the sisterhood of roller derby. The Victory Dolls want to be a part of putting Oklahoma Roller Derby on the map, and hope that both skaters and fans will focus on the positive aspects of the sport, regardless of which league(s) they choose to support. We do hope to see you all at our upcoming bouts!
Ms. LaMarche is a former member of the Victory Dolls, and we wish her the best of luck with her new league.
hi im lisa vaughan from stillwater ok i went to a game on sunday feb. 24 thought that the game looked like lots of fun found out that the team in stillwater needed more girls so i signed up so far i have been to two practices and have had a blast thanks guys