Embracing Her Femininity

Bronx native Mel Ramirez, 25, applies foundation, eyeliner, mascara and ties it all together with gemstones on her face before she heads out to skateboard on New York City streets.

Ramirez, who has been skating for three years, has faced sexist remarks and doubts about her skating ability as a young woman. That experience motivated her to co-create the Bronx Girls Skate

collective in 2020.

Its mission is to celebrate and grow the community of women in the traditionally male-dominated sport. The collective has already inspired women and other underrepresented groups to feel invited into the world of skateboarding, as seen in this video report

.