Did you know that Tacoma has its own roller derby team? The Dockyard Derby Dames were founded in 2005 and have evolved from a small group of skaters to a highly competitive league. They are a team of individuals whose lives off the track find themselves in classrooms teaching, in hospitals taking care of the sick, and with children who are just as spirited as they are. They pride themselves on being a safe space devoted to fostering found family and promoting sports for all genders.
Did you also know that the Washington State History Museum is doing an exhibit on the history of skating? From February 11th to August 20th head to the Washington State History Museum for SKATE: Rinks, Derbies & Discos in Washington Skate History. “Relive the glory of roller disco, couples’ skate, the snack bar, skate fashion, and your favorite skating music. Learn how present-day roller derby and new innovations are enlivening skate culture. The exhibition also explores how skating culture has reflected social and political movements over time, providing both entertainment and community.”
Roller derby is making a new life for itself now more than ever. It has outgrown the endurance races on roller skates from the ’30s and has become a grassroots sport where the women dominate! In Blood on the Flat Track: The rise of the Rat City Roller Girls we follow the Rat Pack through their first two seasons. Watching their fan base go from hundreds to thousands these girls have formed bonds, acquired bruises, and all-in-all kicked some booty!
In Whip It, Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, we meet Bliss Cavendar, a shy misfit struggling to find herself despite her mother’s forced ideals of who her daughter should be. Bliss, played by Elliot Page, plots with her best friend, Pash, to attend a roller derby bout in Austin, Texas under the guise of attending a high school football game. Once there Bliss sees a whole new world of possibility with new friends and a new identity outside the confines of her home. But trying to keep her home life and her new life from colliding will be her biggest struggle of all.
Let the good times roll by checking out these other titles in our collection:
And the best news of all – students (and staff) get FREE admission to the Washington State History Museum! Just make sure to have your Husky Card handy! See you there!