Fort Wayne Derby Girls

When:

August 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30.

Where:

Bell's Skating Rink

Info:

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One Dream

A Pair of Roller Skates and a Dream

 I had the great pleasure of interviewing the Fort Wayne Derby Girls two co-founders, Danielle Abbott and Tonya Vojtkofsky, also known as Little D. Evil and Minx in the roller derby world.  I thought it would be a great time for the interview to take place since FWDG just updated the website.  I wanted to hear first hand of the changes FWDG and roller derby has made on Little D. Evil and Minx and to share it with our current skaters and fans.  I hope you enjoy reading and getting a look into how FWDG and roller derby in general has made an impact on them and what some of their goals and accomplishments have been the last 6 years.

Little D. Evil aka Danielle Abbott

Last Call: Once you decided to bring the FWDG to life, where/how did you start (marketing, friends, $$ support, etc) to make it happen?

Little D: Initially we created fliers and left them any place that would allow us to leave a stack or post them.  The first meeting for people that were interested had a turnout that was less than optimal.  We distributed more fliers and with the generous help of a Journal Gazette article we managed to finally get the word out.  Our success was both driven and achieved through utilizing the talents of both the skaters and volunteers alike.   We secured relationships with the Roller Domes, the local radio stations, local restaurateurs, local business sponsors, to name a few - but most importantly we had the support of the women, and their families, who believed in the idea and were willing to sacrifice their time, energy and talent to achieve the vision.

Last Call: What has been one or a few of your proudest achievements and/or accomplishments with FWDG?

Little D: 1. Apocalypse Pow, our first bout, was unforgettable.  The crowd and volunteer effort for that bout was astonishing.  It was thrilling to see the dream come to life and so many passionate people behind it.

2. To be able to contribute the amount we did to area charities and then to still be in the black after the first year was amazing.

3. When I pursued and secured the PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) sponsorship.  Fort Wayne was one of the first roller derby leagues in mid-west, including Chicago, to acquire that affiliation and it was a proud moment for me.

4. The extraordinary people that I have met and the friendships that the league has brought into my life are priceless.  To see so many people across the country come together for a common cause because of their sincere belief in it has been truly awe inspiring.

Last Call: How does it make you feel that you have changed so many women’s lives by giving them the confidence to make changes in their life for the better, to be stronger, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well?

Little D.: To be honest, I cannot address this because it was the effort of so many women, men and families that created the initial support network that FWDG was built on and in-turn creates the atmosphere in the league that still allows this to happen. 

Last Call: Even though you are no longer actively skating, does FWDG/roller derby play an active role in your everyday life? Meaning has it taught you anything that you carry with you?

Little D: I could fill pages with what I have learned from FWDG, and none of it would be about the sport itself.  This living, breathing entity is a force that has taught me so many life altering lessons it would be impossible to be who I am today without the experiences I have had through FWDG.  Courage, humility, humor and integrity - are but a few of the traits that FWDG has helped allow me to build upon

Last Call: How did you come up with your roller derby name?

Little D.: The name came very easy and the same weekend that we saw the Rat City Rollergirls Championship.  Almost immediately after our first roller derby experience, we (like so many others) started thinking about skate names.  I have been married to Dan for over 20 years, so I have been “Little D” for a long time, and anyone that knows me would not hesitate to call me evil in some way, shape or form.  It was just logical – Little D. Evil.

 Minx aka Tonya Vojtkofsky

Last Call: How did you see the league functioning in Fort Wayne, what was your overall vision for FWDG when you first started?

Minx: I’d be the first to admit I had no clue if Ft Wayne was going to embrace the idea or laugh about it but I personally felt so strong about what we were doing that it didn’t seem to matter at the time.  The world of flat track roller derby was already making its way into our world and we were going to be a part of it!  However, after several events in the beginning, we realized we needed Ft Wayne’s support in our venture and to be taken more serious.  We were aware that other derby leagues contributed to local organizations through their bout proceeds so why shouldn’t we donate some cash and look like hero’s to our peers too, what a novel idea!  We began participating in charitable events, networking and meeting new people who wanted us to come to another fundraising event and so forth.  People began to take notice of our charitable work all while playing roller derby, it was a win-win situation.  But what we really noticed most were the relationships we were building and the fabrics of our philanthropic acts being woven into our personal lives, along with our community and thus creating part of our culture as derby girls.  Our charitable work has changed not only lives for other but ours as well and I hope the league will always focus on that concept. 

 Last Call: What has been one or a few of your proudest achievements and/or accomplishments with FWDG?

Minx:  When my team, “The Bomb Squad” finally won a game against Grand Raggidy Rollergirls in March of 2011.  I’d never experienced my team’s performance so intense, so take charge and so let’s win this as I had that night!  Having experienced that close bond with that group of ladies is a memory etched in my mind forever.  Never does a day go by that I don’t think about at least one of them.

Last Call: How does it make you feel that you have changed so many women’s lives by giving them the confidence to make changes in their life for the better, to be stronger, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well?

Minx: I wouldn’t ever take credit for changing someone’s life, we opened up an opportunity to play a sport, do charitable work, network and meet friends.  It’s what skaters have done with that opportunity that has changed their lives.  My personal reward has been the transformation of skaters and volunteers growing relationships, employment opportunities, going back to school, having children, getting married, getting into shape, training and playing roller derby for Ft Wayne Derby Girls. 

Last Call: Even though you are no longer actively skating, does FWDG/roller derby play an active role in your everyday life? Meaning has it taught you anything that you carry with you?

Minx: Philanthropic work is now a part of my life.  I started a junior roller derby league and love being a mentor and coach to youth. 

Last Call: Where do you see the sport of Roller Derby in the future, how have you seen it change since your co founding of FWDG in 2005?

Minx: The athleticism, rule development, strategy and all around governing for flat track derby has come a long way with men and junior leagues cropping up everywhere.  However, I’m not sure I want to see roller derby as a mainstream sport but I do think it’s headed in that direction in order to get the credibility and respect it does deserves.  The sport was founded on DIY and alternative style principles and there are a lot of differences in what leagues are doing now.  Some are doing away with pseudo names on jerseys and their uniforms are becoming uniform.  Now don’t get me wrong I understand from other people’s perspectives that someone in a tutu named, “Juanna Socket To Ya” might not look like an athlete but you’ve never been hit by “Juanna” on skates and you might not know how much she’s trained to make that beautiful block or what it takes to get up off the floor from that block!  I’m happy that I was a skater in a competitive league that got to wear fishnets and use a pseudo name that set me apart from everyone else but also happy that the Ft Wayne Derby Girls have a place in flat track derby and also here in Ft Wayne, IN.

Last Call:How did you come up with your roller derby name?

Minx: My Mother

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