Talk about female empowerment!

With names like Jolene Jawbreaker, Twisted Scizzors and Stompin' Lizzy Stanton, the ladies of Dutchland Rollers know how to stand up for themselves. No one dares to push them around, except maybe each other, or the opposing team.

On Saturday, the derby girls will face off against the Wilmington City's Ruff Rollers, at Overlook Activities Center, Lititz Pike. And they are ready to do some stompin' and jawbreaking at the end-of-season bout.

"For people who have never seen roller derby before, they'll be surprised at how athletic it is. This is a real competition," says Laverne N. Surly, who is known by friends and family as Valerie Stephan.

She joined the Dutchland Derby Rollers three years ago, when they first got started here in Lancaster. A Penn State grad who majored in English and Classic Mediterranean studies, Stephan doesn't really look the part. Her wholesome good looks bely the tough female athlete that she has become.

"We all have alter egos. It's fun to come up with our roller derby names," says Stephan of the 40 women ages 18 to mid-40s who roller skate their way to empowerment.

By day, they are mothers, teachers, students, shopkeepers, artists, wildlife biologists, sales associates and office workers. By night, they are Hillbilly Hellcat, Ruthless Ness, Cole Slaughter and Spawna Skatin — to name a few.

The Dutchland Derby Rollers practice two nights a week and on Sunday mornings. They stretch, work out, skate and scrimmage. They compete nearly every weekend from March through November, with a big finale at the end of the season. That's what this Saturday's bout is. It's also a fundraiser for — most appropriately — the American Spinal Injury Association.

Over the past three years, their bouts have benefitted the American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Cancer Society, Special Olympics, Alzheimer's Association, Water Street Rescue Mission and more.

These are ladies who have a conscience, no matter how tough they seem!

"I have two kids and I want them to see that women can be strong and powerful," says Fujiyama Mama, aka Andrea Anderson, co-owner of the downtown Lancaster shop Angry, Young & Poor.

While this hard-hitting mama does sport a few tattoos, she is also a proud mother and business owner with a soft spot for helping the community. She first got interested in roller derby when she saw a special on A&E about the revival of roller derby in Texas. She was one of the first to help form the Lancaster team, which has members from Lancaster, York, Reading and even Maryland.

"I always loved roller skating. I have a real bond with the women I skate with," she adds. "It's a sisterhood."

Mutha Medusa is another mother who comes off tough, but speaks tenderly of her children, little girls who are four years old and nine months. Virginia Miller is her real name and she's a stay-at-home mom for now, having worked at Target and pursuing a possible career as a photographer.

She's not the only artistic one of the group. Megan Nelson goes by Sistine Shrapnel and is a fine artist and graduate of Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. She even painted her helmet with Michelangelo's Creation of Adam scene from the Sistine Chapel. For her, it is the teamwork and camaraderie of the Dutchland Derby Rollers that means so much to her.

The team is part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. Their bouts consist of two periods with five players from each team and two minute jams. They work and play hard, with a fair share of bumps, bruises and breaks. During practice, the trainers lay ice bags along the wall of the rink, ready for the inevitable injuries, despite their knee pads, elbow pads, helmets and mouth guards.

The object of the game is to race each other with two opposing jammers and blockers that help the jammers. Four blockers can make up a pack, with one designated as the pivot who sets the pace. The jammers score points by legally passing blockers.

It's non-stop action, as they spin around the rink in a swirl of tattoos, pink hair, fishnet stockings, animal print leggings, black leather and pink and white checks. Their names flash by in a blur of Simply the Beth, Derby Does Dallas, Josie Cuervo, Paige Layout, Lapcat, Marie Antoithreat and Stompin' Lizzy Stanton, who happens to be mild-mannered Sunday school teacher Theresa Metz.

"I got involved three years ago through a friend from Philly who was doing this," says Treasure Chest, aka Sara Sarro, aptly named for her obvious assets. "It is just so much fun. I love it."

Roller Derby
Dutchland Rollers vs.Wilmington City Ruff Rollers

Sat. 6-8:45 p.m.

$10 advance, $12 at door

Free for children under 10

Overlook Activities Center

2040 Lititz Pike

291-1516
www.dutchlandrollers.com