Outside the Doll Factory: The L.A. Derby Dolls at Work in Your Community

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lakers star Jordan Farmar visit the Doll Factory and give Demolicious the thumbs-up at the Mayor's Day of Service In addition to being ferocious skaters and phenomenal athletes, the L.A. Derby Dolls are also concerned citizens. In July 2008, they teamed with the City of Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to welcome Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the Doll Factory for the citywide Mayor's CommUNITY Day of Service. The purpose was a comprehensive, day-long Wellness Conference for local area women and girls that included free workshops on self-defense, basic tai chi, yoga, "punk rope" lessons, nutrition workshops and discussions on body image and the portrayal of women in the media. The Wellness Conference was designed to promote empowerment of women and young girls and to encourage healthy lifestyles.

The L.A. Derby Dolls also recently hosted their first ever junior roller derby camp for girls ages 9-17. The week-long camp emphasized teamwork, physical fitness, fun and empowerment for young women and inspiration for the roller derby stars of tomorrow. The camp was such an overwhelming success that it has prompted the creation of a new, full-time Junior Roller Derby League for fledgling derby girls.

Inspired by the strong sense of civic pride entrenched in our adopted community of Historic Filipinotown, the Dolls have organized two cleanups of the neighborhood, taking to the streets armed with brooms, rakes and shovels. They've also participated in the City's annual Big Sunday community service event, and skated down Skid Row alongside Farmlab, planting trees and distributing oranges to the less fortunate.

L.A. Derby Dolls with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Council President Eric Garcetti at the Treasures of Los Angeles ceremonyThe greatest honor for the L.A. Derby Dolls came in the form of a "Treasure of Los Angeles" award from the Central City Association in March 2009. Invited to the ceremony, attended by local luminaries such as City Council President Eric Garcetti, the L.A. Derby Dolls were honored for their athleticism, community and leadership.

In the spirit of giving back to those around them, especially the community that has welcomed them with such support and friendship, the L.A. Derby Dolls are always on the lookout for opportunities to repay the good fortune they’ve been granted.

And like every good roller derby athlete knows, teamwork is the key to success.