Mercy Shammah

A Real Grrl is a lesbian “grrl next door” who is doing something unique, interesting, creative, and – most importantly – something that they are proud of and want to share with others. Each week Cherry Grrl features a special reader… next week if could be you! Write to info@cherrygrrl.com to learn how.

Mercy

Age: 26

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Get real with us. I recently dropped everything and moved to Hawaii. The warm weather and the warm morale makes me wish that I had made the move sooner. I have a dream of becoming the best female black lesbian surfer in the world. And after my first surf lesson I know that I only have a couple more decades to go! I am also training to be an interpreter for American Sign Language. I soon hope to be able to link English speakers to the deaf community.

I am a roller derby girl. I played three intense seasons with the Dallas Derby Devils and have had the chance to transfer and skate with Pacific Roller Derby here in Hawaii. I am lucky enough to have moved from one group of fabulous skaters to another.

It is nice to see the level to which derby has grown in the past few years; women’s flat track roller derby is THE new hottest sport in the world today. There are more skaters then ever and competition is extremely high. Not only in the US but across the globe, roller derby has become an unstoppable living, breathing, machine fueled by top athletes. And I am fortunate to be one of them.

I am a photographer. I shoot just about anything and I have a blast opening myself up to experience the range that photography has to offer. I love love love shooting women; they are so beautiful and make being a photographer so easy. They really get my creative juices flowing.

I have been lucky enough to combine my creativity in photography with my love for roller derby. And I am very grateful to my mentors in both photography and roller derby who have helped guide me to the level that I am at today.

For more about Mercy visit www.mercyshammahphotography.com.