Tag Archives: roller derby

Today’s Lady News: Women Kicked Off Roller Derby Team Because Rink Owner Stalked Her

Jessica WakemanOctober 22, 2009 //
  • A woman who was stalked by the co-owner of a New Jersey skating rink was kicked off her roller derby team so they could keep practicing there. Marc Giaquinto, manager of InLine Morristown, was convicted of stalking a team member of the Morristown Madams by showing up at her home and office unannounced and tweeting about her online. In the d-baggiest move ever, the management of InLine Morristown told the Madams the stalking victim would be arrested for trespassing if she came to the rink to skate, so they took a vote. The other members of the Madams (who, ironically, raise money for women’s charities!) voted to stay at the rink, which meant asking the stalking victim to leave the team. The only good news here is that several of the Madams quit the team in protest. But interestingly, the victim said she is more hurt by her team members than by Giaquinto. She told the New Jersey Star-Ledger, “Roller derby is supposed to be about sisterhood and women supporting women. And they (the Madams) are turning their backs on me. I did nothing wrong. It’s the team that made me feel victimized, not the case.” [New Jersey Star-Ledger]

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    Ellen Page + Roller Derby Chicks = Can’t Wait To See “Whip It”

    Jessica WakemanJuly 16, 2009 //

    Yay! The trailer for Ellen Page’s newest movie, “Whip It,” is out and it looks ambrosia for any stifled suburban girl, even if you’ve never broken some chick’s collarbone in a roller derby.

    With Drew Barrymore, Kristen Wiig, Juliet Lewis, Eve and Ari Graynor (the drunk friend from “Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist”) all playing bad-ass roller skaters named Smashley Simpson, Dinah Might and Malice In Wonderland, how can you go wrong? Keep reading »

    We Can’t Wait For Drew Barrymore And Ellen Page In “Whip It”

    Justine FieldsJuly 9, 2009 //

    I’m a huge Drew Barrymore fan, and I simply adore Ellen Page. So, basically, “Whip It” is destined to be my next favorite movie. In this comedy about the roller derby, Page plays Bliss Cavendar, a 17-year-old who rebels against her mother’s pageantry wishes by joining a derby team called the Hurl Scouts. Yes, they wear demented Girl Scouts uniforms. With characters like Smashley Simpson, Babe Ruthless, Bloody Holly, and Maggie Mayhem (which is an ode to the screenwriter’s real-life derby name), this film is practically guaranteeing hilarity. And as for the name of the movie, “Whip It” has nothing to do with the Devo song—it’s actually a move used in the sport to get ahead of the pack. Keep reading »

    A Girl’s Guide To The Roller Derby

    Ami AngelowiczJune 16, 2009 //

    I am admittedly not the most athletic lady alive. Last time I was on wheels was at a friend’s 8-year-old birthday party at the local roller rink. I held onto the outside rail and eventually ditched the rink altogether to eat a soft pretzel on the sidelines. That’s why I am obsessed with the roller derby, which the New York Times is dubbing a new trend even though it’s been back with a vengeance for years. It’s awesome to watch girls tearing it up out there on the rink—even if I can’t. From the punk-meets-club kids style to the quirky team names (Texecutioners, Mason Dixon Roller Vixens), roller derby is faster and sexier than it was in the ’70s. Here’s what you need to know about “jamming.” [New York Times] Keep reading »