Raiderettes of the Decades

Choreographer Karen Kovac made sure all the lovely women knew their routines before they were allowed to leave.

“This is really the event of the season,” Mary Barnes enthusiastically explained. “This is an amazing event to have women from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000 come and share fellowship, share memories, and dance to have fun as well. Nobody could have anticipated that it would be this spectacular.”

They are the Super Bowl Raiderettes who were there!

The Reunion Banquet was held at the Oakland Marriot, City Center. Mary Barnes also received a beautiful diamond ring from the girls as an award for her inspiration and for being a role model to all the beautiful former and current Raiderettes.

"And that’s something I’ll always have. I’ll always have! So it’s something MS will never take away from me—never, ever. I can always look up to that (being a former Raiderette)." Nancy also went on to say that she was looking forward to this night as soon as she found out about the reunion. "Earl Mann, the former Raider contacted me, and told me to go to the website (Raiders.com). I filled out the information and here I am. I am so excited! I missed the camaraderie, all the faces, and especially the dancing," said Nancy

"The Super Bowl and being with all the girls was a memory that will always last a lifetime. This gathering and festival that Mary Barnes and Al put together tonight is wonderful! It brings back memories that I missed-- sort of like a sorority of all my sisters that I will always cherish and remember for many, many years to come."--Gina

Francis (right) had this to say: "It's been 10 years, and I feel like I saw these girls yesterday, and we just picked right up where we left off. Being with the Raiders' organization is like a sisterhood with the Raiderettes, like a family, and I'll always keep in contact through all the years."

Did you know Susan is an actress? After retiring as a Raiderette, Susan went on to a career in acting and was featured in such roles as "The King Pin" and "The Bold and The Beautiful." Now residing in LA, Susan also went on to pursue her career as a court reporter. Susan was asked about coming back to the Bay Area. "This brings back a lot of memories for me, great memories that have been long, long forgotten. It's great to dig back into your past; it's very cute," said Susan. Susan also has commercials out on a fitness video called "Take Ten To A Better You."

"I'm a Raider fan," says Gates. "I always loved the Raiders--even before they came to LA, when they were in Oakland. And the Raiderettes are the best!" Gates was asked what comes to mind when the name Mary Barnes is mentioned. "She lights up the room and she is who makes the Raiderttes," he declared with authority.

Lytisha is stunning!

Jacqueline: “ This is phenomenal! I thought it would be a good time, but this completely exceeded my expectations. This is great to be able to come back and see some of my old friends. But I think the biggest highlight for me is to come and see some of the girls from the 60’s, which really touched my heart.

Jacqueline owns a marketing company that she started 6 years ago and a charitable foundation she started 2 years ago. We talked about people being stereotyped when it comes to Raiderettes. And tonight, we have met so many talented and educated women, who are former Raiderettes. “There is that perception (Raiderettes being bimbos), and when I was in high school I actually had that perception as well," Jacqueline admitted. "But when I became an NFL cheerleader and started meeting some of the girls, I met girls that were lawyers and going to law school. Two things I’ve learned is that cheerleaders aren’t bimbos and that they are very educated. And some of the most beautiful girls on the squad never had dates. That’s amazing! Because of their beauty, many men thought they were taken and were afraid to ask them out.” And, as you can see, Jacqueline is also beautiful and quite perceptive.