Bonnie Thunders

Who is Bonnie Thunders?

Nicole Williams, known as Bonnie Thunders, is a roller derby skater.

Williams grew up in Rome, New York, where she attended the Rome Free Academy, before studying conservation biology with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, linked to Syracuse University. She was a leading member of the college's synchronized skating squad, the Syracuse Orange Experience,she also spent time playing soccer competitively.

After moving to New York City, Williams found roller derby and traded in her ice skates for roller skates. In 2006, Williams successfully tried out for the Gotham Girls Roller Derby, and was placed on their Bronx Gridlock team. Taking the name "Bonnie Thunders", in her first season, she was named the league's Rookie of the Year. She soon became part of Gotham's travel team, and skated for them when they won the 2008 WFTDA Championships, at which she won the Most Valuable Player award. Although she worked for several years at a conservation charity, in 2010 she set up the Five Stride Skate Shop, a skater owned and operated roller skate shop in Brooklyn, NY.