Breaking barriers: Fayetteville Roller Derby empowers women
March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize women who defy expectations. On the roller derby track at Fayetteville's Crown Complex, women are doing just that by blending strength, speed, and attitude as they shatter stereotypes, one lap at a time. For the women of the Fayetteville roller derby team, this isn't just a sport; it's power on wheels.
"It's invigorating. It's empowering to be a woman that can play in a sport that not a lot of people know about. And it's tough.
And this is my first sport that I've really ever played. I always said non-contact sports," said Erika "Fallout Babe" Gibson, a skater. Founded 13 years ago, the team has become a tight-knit community where strength and sisterhood collide.
Some, like Ashley "Pound Cake" Sharpe, have been fans since childhood. You know, the hits that we take are powerful. The hits that we're giving are intentional.
We are playing a sport that we know we can get injured in, and we all have insurance for, but we love it. "I had been watching Fayetteville roller derby since I was really little. I won tickets, free tickets to their game a really long time ago.