By Paul Turse
Photos by Doug Farrell and Karen Kovac
Layout by Larry Garcia

For nearly five centuries, artists, critics, connoisseurs, and even composers have puzzled over the enigmatic and alluring smile of the famous female known as the “Mona Lisa,” the figure that has perhaps become the prototype for “feminine mystique.”  The smile also conjures up many stereotypes about women in general as far as not being able to understand them.  While the dilemma remains as to what lurks behind that mysterious smile, and many theories abound, it might be more productive to attempt to discern what effect the smile has had on those who view it.  One thing is certain:  it has stirred the imaginations of viewers and has become a symbol for the profound effect that a smile can have on those that perceive it.

Although the Mona Lisa smile does have its influence, there are other lovely “works of arts” that do not hang in a drab museum and are not scrolled upon a canvas, but whose smile has an awesome effect on whoever is lucky enough to perceive its radiance.  This smile is the trademark of Football’s Fabulous Females, the Oakland Raiderettes.  The smile of the Raiderette can make little boys feel important, cause little girls’ eyes to light up, make parents view them as role models, make their own parents proud, tame the savage beasts in the Black Hole, and—above all—make believers of even the most cynical of critics.

Elizabeth Barry, a third-year Raiderette, is a prime example of the effect that Raiderettes have on youngsters, especially when the women encounter them during public appearances at various children’s hospitals.  While being on the field, performing and interacting with fans, is an exciting time for the cheerleaders, “the charitable events are more touching to us,” explained Elizabeth, “and one of the bigger parts of being a Raiderette.  You get the most out of them….  It is a big part of being a Raiderette, and you know what?  It's one of the most heartfelt parts about it.  And I'm going to look back at it, and I am going to remember being on the field and remember being in front of all those fans.  But some of those people I meet in my charities are people that I’ll remember for a lifetime.”   

There was one little boy whom Elizabeth would visit at a children’s cancer hospital.  His mother told Elizabeth that her son was a big raiders fan, but because of his affliction and because he was still undergoing chemotherapy, he was not able to get out to see a game.  So, meeting the Raiderettes was as close as he had come that year to being at a game and, of course, the youngster was charmed by that Raiderette smile and proudly introduced Elizabeth and her comrade, Raiderette Christine Biggers, to all of the other children in his ward. 

Later on in the day, the youngster took Elizabeth and Christine to another ward where, because all the children there were critical, no one could enter, not even him.  It was there that the two Raiderettes had one of their most touching experiences.  "This little girl was fighting for her life, and she hadn’t really spoken to anybody,” Elizabeth recounted, “and the nurse comes in and she goes [to the little girl], 'Sweetie, do you want to see the Raider cheerleaders?"

The child was covered with a Raiders blanket.  Although she was terminally ill and too sick to speak that day, Elizabeth noted that

 "she kinda looked up her head and said, 'Are you real cheerleaders?’  She was so excited to see us, like her eyes just lit up, and we were like, ‘Oh, my gosh!  I've never, ever had an experience like that.  My eyes were full of tears.  I had to hold back from crying because I didn't want this little girl to see me crying.”

Raiderette Christine was also affected and was on the verge of tears.  The two women looked at each other and acknowledged silently that they had better leave before they broke down emotionally.

Aside from their charm, personalities, and smile, it is obviously their compassionate natures that make them role models for little girls.

"I'm completely honored if anyone thinks of me as a role model,” Elizabeth modestly indicated.  “I would love to be a role model for kids, and I know that there are plenty of little girls that we meet all the time, even in juniors  [Jr. Raiderettes]; they aspire to be Raiderettes some day, and I like that.  I like being able to have little girls look up to me and one day want to be like me and maybe follow in my footsteps.  It makes me feel good."

It is not only Elizabeth who feels good about being a role model, but it is also the parents who felt confident putting their daughters in the hands of the Raiderettes, like Elizabeth, during the 2003 Jr. Raiderette program.

Julie Cunningham said that her daughter, Kaitlin, idolizes the Raiderettes and looks at them as role models.  “Her dad’s been a [Raiders] fan for years, and so she’s a fan.  And she thought that this would be a lot of fun to be part of not only the cheerleading squad but to be part of the whole Raider organization.”

Rachel Lopez believed that the program would give her daughter, Sesilee, “the drive, the ability to want to get out there and cheer and to do something positive.”

Long-time Raider fans Scott and Nellie Lopez believed the program was a positive influence on their daughter, seven-year-old Mika.

Scott noted that, after starting the program, she really made an improvement in terms of discipline:  “She knows that when it’s time to come practice or game time is getting close, she knows that she’s got to have her stuff done and she needs to get her homework done if she wants to be a cheerleader.”

Aside from learning to cheer, Nellie hoped her daughter would maintain the Raiderette discipline:  “I think it takes a lot of hard work and discipline to do these performances.  So, I think she is learning a little bit of that.”  Above all, Nellie wanted her daughter to appreciate hard work.

“She’s learning she has to finish something she starts now…and the cheerleaders [Raiderettes] have helped her,” Scott proudly concluded.

While the Raiderettes inspire the little girls to achieve, it was Elizabeth’s parents who have inspired her to set her sights as high as they could go.  "My family would have to be what most inspires me.  Knowing they’re proud of you.  They inspire me; they really do.  Just seeing their faces light up when I succeed in something makes me feel like I've succeeded more than I ever could imagine,” Elizabeth explained.  “Just seeing my mom's face when I first told her [made the Raiderettes]—seeing her face light up!  Even her looking through the Raiderette Calendar and being so proud of me.  'This is my daughter' [mimicking mom], even though I hate when she does that.  It really inspires me to want to do more; like I push to do more….  So it's like I would want to set my bar higher every time."

Although supportive by all means, her family was never there pushing her into events.  "It was always like I’m going to do this; you guys sit back, and relax, and let me run my own show.  I think that’s what they appreciate about me.  That I’ve always been on my own.”

That her family respects her independence is what Elizabeth appreciates the most about their relationship and what motivates her.

 “I'm a very independent person.  I've been independent my whole life,” she explained.  Evidence of her independence was clearly demonstrated when she attended the tryouts by herself and made the Raiderette squad while still in high school, an accomplishment that should inspire both big and little girls.

Of course, it is normally the little girls that are most impressed by the Raiderettes, rather than the boys.  "Most of the little boys want to see the players rather than the cheerleaders," Elizabeth noted.  Give them time!  Give them time! Little boys grow up to be big-boy fans, of course, and learn to appreciate the charm of the Raiderettes.  While the Raiderette smile endears the gals to the male fans, it is their professionalism that makes those rowdy guys in the stands, and especially in the Black Hole, treat them as though they were their little sisters.

"I think the Raiderettes have accomplished a lot.  I think that all of our fans, for the most part, know what we represent and what we stand for.  Oh, I love our fans.  We have the best fans in the NFL, no doubt, no doubt.  They treat us with utmost respect at games.” 

People will often ask Elizabeth if the Raiderettes ever hear vulgar comments coming from the fans.  Not according to Elizabeth:  "Never, ever do I hear anything coming out of our fans' mouths.  If anyone says anything, it’s usually the opposing team; and our fans are right there on top of them, so they have our back all the way.”

Many people still cling to the notion that all cheerleaders are vapid and stuck up.  In fact, at one of the 2003 Jr. Raiderette practices, some of the parents, especially the dads, admitted to having some negative stereotypical attitudes concerning cheerleaders.  However, after meeting the Raiderettes and noting their professionalism, the parents’ attitudes quickly changed.   

Atron Gregory, one of the dads, found that the young girls in the program learn discipline.  He hopes that his daughter, Victoria, will gain the initiative and learn that “you have to do what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do it.”  Moreover, he noted the great attitude that the Raiderettes have as far as helping others.  “If she can take some of these things away from this experience, it would be great for us and for her, I hope.”

If anyone at this year’s Cinco de Mayo in downtown San Jose had any doubts about a Raiderettes’ intelligence and resourcefulness, those negative thoughts were readily dispelled when, after speaking to the group in English, the blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty demonstrated her linguistic skill by addressing the crowd in Spanish, a gesture that surprised and amazed a very appreciative group of fans.

"It was more spur of the moment...I didn't really know what the dynamics would be with the people coming out here or what the ratio would be like to Latinos compared to Caucasians or whatnot.  But I realized that...a lot of people did speak Spanish....  So I thought I needed to address them in Spanish as well."

The ones that cling to the stereotype or "don't know [what we stand for stand for], they've never met us,” Elizabeth explained.  “They've never interacted with us.  They would never come in contact with us....  They won't know until they meet us.…”  When these individuals meet the Raiderettes, then they will know and their opinion will change, she implied.  And they will be inspired by the Raiderette smile and carriage.

The twenty-year-old Raiderette explained how her congenial nature has helped her to maintain the upbeat personality and smile of the Raiderette, regardless of the situation:  “I'm just a social person, so when I have interactions with other people, I automatically smile...and regardless if I'm d

own, I have to realize that this is my job.  I have to at all times have a [happy] face”

While the song “Mona Lisa” questions whether the lady in the painting is more than a cold work of art, when you meet Elizabeth, there will be no doubt that this Raiderette is real and she is warm; and you won’t have to be an art connoisseur to know what her smile means:  it means pride, poise, professionalism, and compassion.  Above all, whether you are youngster, a parent, or a die-hard fan, her Raiderette smile will cause your eyes to light up, make you feel pride, and engender your respect.

A Special thanks to Raiderette Director Karen Kovac and the Oakland Raiders.