Don't Hate, Roller Skate.

Oklahoma Victory Dolls Promotion Flyer

            Jem Reaper of the Oklahoma Victory Dolls (OKVD) Roller Derby team skated in a bout against the Randall County Roller Dames of Texas, Sat. Oct. 9^th 2010 at the Miles Roll-A-Way Rink.  Jem Reaper, 28, also known as Cristina Romanos has been skating since January 9^th 2009 with the Oklahoma Victory Dolls. 

            Roller derby, according to the Womens Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) website, dates back to the 1920s but the term was originally coined to describe roller skating races and it wasn’t until the late 1930s that roller derby emerged into the contact sport. Today there are more than 450 flat track roller derby leagues worldwide.            

            “In Oklahoma right now that are actively skating, we have three [roller derby teams] in Oklahoma City, two in Tulsa, one in Stillwater and one starting up in Arbuckle and in Enid as well,” said Romanos.

            Romanos became interested in roller derby by observing her friend who was a member of the Texas Roller Derby Austin League.

            “I would go with her to her practices and to her games and I was like, ahh I must do this!” said Romanos.

Jem Reaper (left) and DezDispenseher.
Photo by: Ana Lastra

            Most of the members of the OKVD have empowering names for their roller derby alter egos such as Czech12, Bangkok Baby and Cami-Kazee.  Romanos came up with her name, Jem Reaper, from a 80s cartoon called Jem and the Holograms and from a TV Series.

            “I’m a big fan of the FX TV Series, Sons of Anarchy,” said Romanos, “Grim reaper is a big thing on the show and the main badass mama on there is Gemma.”

            By night Romanos is known as Jem Reaper, but by day she spends her days working for an apparel printer known as Sgt. Grit Marine Specialties.  The company mainly prints custom Marine Corps shirts but will print other designs.

            Romanos and the rest of the Victory Dolls not only skate for fun and release, but for a cause as well.  The OKVD give back to the community by teaming up with the YWCA of Oklahoma City. 

            According to Romanos, a part of the proceeds that the team makes from the bout is donated to the YWCA. The YWCA mission statement states that they are “dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”

OKVD and the RCRD at Miles Roll-A-Way Rink
Photo by: Ana Lastra

            “It’s about women empowerment!” said DezDispenseher, number 777 of the OKVD.

           To see when the Oklahoma Victory Dolls next bout is search their page www.okvd.net  To learn more on how you can help and empower with the YWCA check out their website at http://www.ywca.org/