LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A few women in Little Rock are giving an entirely different meaning to blowing off steam after work.
They're some of central Arkansas's leading professionals, but when they clock out, they clock in at the Arkansas Skatium.
The Rock Town Roller Derby team comprises nearly 50 women or gender-identifying women.
The flat-track roller derby team started back in 2018 by combining two teams and merging them into one.
Rock Town Roller Derby President Jessica Saum described the sport as a way for the competing women to participate in something physical and unique while still being able to blow off steam after a hard day of work.
“You're playing offense and defense at the same time,” Saum said. “You have a player from each team wear a star on their helmet, and they're called the jammer. The jammer is trying to score points."
Some may call it controlled and skilled chaos, with few bumps and bruises in between. However, Saum said some things are off-limits in this sport.
“We use our hips and shoulders a lot," Saum said. "It’s a lot of shoulder-to-chest and side contact, but you are making full contact."
Protective gear is also not to be missed with this team.
“We wear gear from head to toe, just to keep ourselves safe,” Saum said.
Many women participating in the sport described it as physical and fun.
“I think it gives us all a chance to be someone different from our daily lives and who we are," Saum said. "Whether we're a mom, a teacher, or any of the amazing careers we do."
This team is made up of skilled skaters, teachers, volunteer firefighters and even assistant principals.
On weekdays, Saum works in special education in the Cabot Public School District. She’s also the 2022 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
"It's great for them to see things outside of that teacher in the classroom," Saum said. "We can do hard things when we push ourselves."
Venus Wright is also a member of the roller derby team. By day, she works as an ophthalmic assistant at the Jones Institute.
“I work with eyeballs all day, so roller derby is slightly different," Wright said. "You get to hit your friends and not get in trouble."
Wright explained that roller derby is her chance to tap into her alter ego.
"My normal demeanor is quiet, so when I say I'm doing roller derby, most people don't believe me," Wright said.
It is a fun and unique way to redefine what it means to be a multifaceted woman in the professional and sports spheres, respectively.