The Windy City Rollers, Chicago's only nationally ranked women's flat track roller derby league, has been recognized by the City of Chicago in a resolution at yesterday's City Council meeting in City Hall.

Chicago Alderman Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward) has sponsored a resolution to honor the Windy City Rollers. The roller derby league is being recognized for "enriching the City of Chicago and the nation with their sportsmanship, civic involvement, and empowerment of women," as stated in the resolution.  Alderman Smith presented the resolution at today's Council meeting, which was received with applause in the Council chambers. The following members of the Windy City Rollers were present:  Ska Face, Karmageddon, Shocka Conduit, Ruth Enasia, Juanna Rumbel, and Elenka Spankya.

"It is a great honor to have Alderman Smith and all of City Council to acknowledge the importance of a sport rooted in the great City of Chicago." said Elizabeth "Juanna Rumbel" Gomez, one of the league's two founders. "I never expected a small grass roots movement to become such a national phenomenon. The best thing is that the league was recognized for its drive, passion, and dedication to roller derby where we make no money, but are rewarded in accomplishments and a sense of pride. Our next goal? Getting the Alderman to let us have a WCR disco party in City Hall. It's just too small to bout in it."

The resolution marks a significant turning point for the WCR, as the league has been seeing a consistently growing fan base and will be host to the Women's Flat Track Derby Association 2010 Championship, "Uproar on the Lakeshore." The league has been in operation in Chicago since 2004 and has also seen membership increase from 60 skaters and volunteers to a group of more than 100 this year.