The Fabulous Moolah

by Nancy                

After a few days of looking at very pretty Oscar dresses and thinking about the poor selection of acting roles for women who work so hard on their bodies and professional skills for so little reward (maybe the offer to play a hooker or a dying mother or the chief of MI5 despite your Oscar) I found myself thinking about women working in other parts of popular culture who struggle to make a living and garner some respect in their chosen profession.

Also about my short, but nevertheless impending book tour for MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH.

Which all--in an admittedly circuitous confusion of synapses--reminded me of an obituary I read a couple of months ago for Mary Lillian Ellison, who was also known as The Fabulous Moolah.  Here's some of the obit from the NY Times:

Mary Lillian Ellison, whose flying drop kicks, flying head scissors and hair-pulling "flying mare" body slams brought her renown as the Fabulous Moolah, died Friday in Lexington, SC.  She was 84.

For more than half a century as a wrestler, promoter and trainer, the Fabulous Moolah was a leading figure on the women's circuit. She held versions of the women's wrestling championship for all but short intervals from the mid-1950s to the min-1980s. World Wrestling Entertainment brought her back at age 76. Clad in a sequinned jacket over a green leotard, she pinned her opponent, Ivory, in a match at Cleveland and was again proclaimed champion.

When she started in pro wrestling in the early 1950s, the promoter Jack Pfeffer decided a name change was in order. . . .  The name Lillian Ellison wouldn't do. Not flashy enough.

He asked her why she was wrestling, and, as she recalled:  "Annoyed, I blurted out: 'For the money.  I want to wrestle for the moolah.'"

First, she apprenticed as a valet for Nature Boy Buddy Rogers; she was billed as Slave Girl Moolah and clad in a leopard skin outfit.  Soon, she was wrestling as the Fabulous Moolah, and she won the championship belt in 1956. On July 1, 1972, when the New York State Athletic Commission lifted a ban on women's wrestling, she was the featured attraction at Madison Square Garden.

The Fabulous Moolah was only 5 feet 4 inches and 118 pounds when she began wrestling as a professional, and her physique did not seem particularly imposing. But her maneuvers wowed the crowds.

"Flying drop kick is when you jump flat-footed from the floor up as high as the person you're looking at and kick them in the face or the chest, wherever you want to kick them, and then you fall to the floor," she told National Public Radio's "Fresh Air" program in 2005.

"And then the flying head scissors is where you jump up, put both legs around their head and throw them forward as you come down. And a flying mare is when you get a girl by the hair of the head and pull her over your shoulder, then slam her to the mat as hard as you can. And I love doing that."

The Obit goes on to quote the Fabulous Moolah's daughter on the circumstances of her death (a probable heart attack after shoulder replacement surgery) and to clarify that Moolah lived for many years with Katie Glass, "a former midget wrestler known as Diamond Lil, who joined with her in training wrestlers."

A lot of the "lady wrestlers" came from difficult backgrounds and chose to join the wrestling circuit to escape really lousy lives. There are a lot of tough survival stories in that business.  But the Fabulous Moolah was one of the very few women who emerged from the ring to become A promotor of the sport--where the real moolah is, no doubt--rather than allowing men to keep her performing basically as a carnival side show.

Now, readers, what lessons can we draw from the life of the Fabulous Moolah?  Here's my thinking, but I hope to hear yours:

1.  Wearing a leopard skin leotard has to be a confidence-builder.

2.  If you're small, you have to find a way your own way of slamming the competition to the mat---and enjoy doing it.

3.  Part of becoming a champion again at the age of 76 has surely got to be just showing up, ready to rumble.

4.  The name Slave Girl Moolah is not nearly as empowering as the Fabulous Moolah.

5.  Having daughters and good girl friends has a lot to do with keeping a girl going strong to the age of 84.

6. The money does matter. It's a measure of respect in your field as well as a way to pay the mortgage.

7. Not that I'm trying to stir up a hornets' nest or anything, but I defy you to listen to that NPR story about women in a man's sport and not think about the situation for women and the Edgars these days. Go ahead, listen.

Meanwhile, since my book MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH, which is the 7th installment of the Blackbird Sisters mystery series, will be released next week, I'm wondering where I can get my hands on a sequinned jacket and green leotard. Because in order to compete in the bookstores for your book-buying dollars, I'm not sure my skill alone is enough. 

Here's a chapter, though, to get you started.

And if you're still looking for a good book to read this weekend, may I suggest NOTORIOUS, by our fabulous Michele Martinez?

And has anybody reminded you lately that our fellow Tart, Elaine Viets, has been nominated for an Agatha?  Needless to say, we're in an uproar here at the offices of The Lipstick Chronicles.

Comments

[Mary Storyteller]

Hijack: (and thank goodness to have somewhere to vent at 2 a.m.) Maybe I need some Fabulous Moolah lessons to finally take care of the identity fraud issues. I thought I'd gotten all the bad stuff taken care of, but the new report from Trusted ID showed two false addresses, and some negative credit reports (but without enough info to tell what they are for, so not much help). It said to call for help in disputing, so I did, was passed from one nice person (T.J.) to another (Tina), who then was transferring me to the person (couldn't hear her name clearly, darn it) who "will take care of this." Yeah . . . no! First she asked my ssn -- printed right on the form was "Trusted ID emplyees will never ask you for your full social security number." When I told her that, she argued, "That's for the sales people. I need that number or the report number" (gave her report number). Then she started explaining to me why we couldn't dispute it now, because (if I understood her) new reports would be out at the first of the month and the changes might already be on them. By then, I'd been on the phone 30 minutes, and only had a few more minutes before I had to leave for class -- frustrated, crying, calmed myself, tried again to give her the disputed info, only to be "explained" to again and then put on hold (I guess, there was music). I hung up, went to a full day of various things (told stories for my aqua-aerobics friends; that was good). I couldn't get back to call again, and when I try to sleep I start replaying this frustrating ordeal. It's like dealing with playground bullies "You are a deadbeat," "Am not!" "Are so." then paying for "protection" and then being taunted for falling for that old trick. I'm sick of it!
Guess I'll try again when they open and hope to have something resolved before I meet my aunt for lunch. But I really am sick of it. thank of all the better things I could have done with this much time and energy.

[Laura (in PA)]

Nancy, I was already looking forward to seeing you at one of your Philly-area stops, and I am eagerly anticipating getting my hands on the book, but now I'm beside myself, to think that when I do finally see you, I have leopard print and sequins to look forward to. Awesome. Your skill is definitely enough for my book-buying dollars, but that will be the icing on the cake.

As for Lillian Ellison, I want to be like her when I grow up.

[Nancy Martin]

Perhaps I'd better clarify, Laura. I can't seem to find the leopard print and sequins locally. I need shopping advice! (Think The Fabulous Moolah ever needed this kind of assistance? I doubt it.)

[Joyce Tremel]

Nancy, ditch the leopard skin. I think you'd look so much better in pink and sparkling silver sequins. With shoes to match, of course.

I never heard of The Fabulous Moolah, but she is my new hero! I love it that she wrestled at age 76.

Mary Storyteller, call your state attorney general's office. They probably have an ID theft division and may be able to help you get things straigtened out.

[Nancy Martin]

See, Mary? I knew we'd eventually get good advice from somebody. Me, I was thinking you need to practice that flying mare move.

[ramona]

Can't find leopard skin fabric? Here's a solution:

http://www.mardigrascostumepics.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=2006102819464567

For sequins, no problem. Go to Wal Mart. I know you already own a glue gun.

[Harley]

Oh, I am going to adopt (just around the house) the name Fabulous Moolah. Must go -- it's 5:15 a.m. in LA and time to practice my flying head scissors.

Mary, I bet William will have some advice for you. He's really good for all sorts of Bad Guy stuff like this. Unfortunately, for stupid phone employees, you're better off employing a Flying Drop Kick. I'm sure there's a way it can be done over the phone.

[michele]

Nancy, congratulations on the new book! We can't wait. Your writing reminds me of what life would be like if chocolate cake was good for you. All yum with no downsides. And count me with the people who love you in pink, but whatever you wear, you'll be fabulous.

As for the state of women in the world, it's awful. The plucky 76-year-old wrestler stories are as good as it gets. If I had daughters, I'd be telling them to work on their weight, their tans and their blow job skills because that's what our society values. Check out this article from the WSJ earlier this week.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120370822092186297.html

[Nancy Martin]

Oh, Gawd, Michele, my daughters read this blog!!!

[michele]

OK, I take it back. Keep on fighting, daughters!

[Nancy Martin]

Ramona, your emails are bouncing back to me. Just saying.

[Rita Scott]

Nancy? Have you tried Frederick's of Hollywood for your outfit? (are they still in business?) Margie, are they?

[Me, Margie]

Hi. It's Me, Margie.

Yes, of course Frederick's is still in business - online and everything. But Nancy - why don't you just get something from that place you order your other, uh, 'research materials'?

Oops. Never mind.

If I didn't already have so many cute nick names, I'd insist on being called the Fabulous Moolah.

And as far as Michele's comment regarding training - appearance is all relative, but honey, there are some skills that are must-haves.

[ramona]

Try secondary address, Nancy.

[Amy]

As much as people look down on professional wrestling, a lot of the "old school" ladies, like Moolah, are a true inspiration. They really broke the barrier in a man's world. She truly was awesome - even a year and a half ago, she was still out in the ring, promoting and riling up the guys and girls. Let me tell you, she always got a huge reaction when she came to the ring, no matter her age. If you find her interesting, look up Mae Young also. She's another lady wrestler, another great story.

And Nancy - I can't wait to read the book!!

[Mary Storyteller]

Thanks for encouragement. I called Trusted ID back this morning, with lots of time to spend if necessary, nowhere to go until 1. This part is actually handled through Confidential Credit, (third transfer was actually to another number yesterday; this time they gave me the number to call myself). I connected with Jaimie, who was clear, helpful, competent (everything mumbled-name wasn't). She explained that we don't "dispute" fraudulent accounts (that's for errors on legitimate bills). She is sending fraud packets to go to the three credit bureaus (more homework, sigh), because apparently even when the companies SAY they are removing the fraudulent accounts, they don't always get "a round tuit." I already sent corrections to Experien, so maybe I'll only have to do two. . . . There would be such satisfaction in finding someone to wallop (AARP magazine had a story on a woman who took a hammer to the Charter office). I've been reading Fern Michaels' Sisterhood books -- I'd love to sic Yoko on them.

Truly, the system is totally warped. Businesses should have to PROVE a person actually owes them before they can put something on a credit report. The companies should have to file the police reports, too, and in a timely manner so that the police might actually be able to catch and prosecute. Yeah! Maybe I should run for office -- storytelling and legislation . . . I was going to use Lincoln as my model, but I don't like the ending.

Really, I could have written a novel with this much time and energy. I am going to record a storytelling CD next week -- tired of expending myself on useless garbage.

[Tom]

Harley, how about a screenplay on the life, loves, offspring and body slams of The Fabulous Moolah?

The log line writes itself. Life. Love. Body Slams. The Fabulous Moolah.

No pun intended, it's a broad canvas on which to work.

Nancy, we were downtown in the LA garment district last Sunday; We know where to find green leopard-print spandex with glitter - or rhinestones - for that Heroic Author costume. There's even a polychrome universe of grinch fur if you're brave enough.

[michele]

You know what the problem is with identity theft? Low sentences. It doesn't carry jail time, so it doesn't get enforced, so peple can make a decent living off it with little or no consequences.

Somebody close to me was the victim of a serious identity theft that started with a stolen wallet (which contained and entire packet of ID including driver's license and social security card. One big piece of advice -- NEVER keep your social security number in your wallet. If it's on any of your ID, scratch it off). Anyway, after committing over $100K of identity theft, the perpetrator was arrested trying to open another credit card account in the victim's name. (Only because the victim had red-flagged all credit bureaus.) Turned out the perpetrator had been arrested over thirty times and had never spent more than one night in jail! This was in New York City, and the D.A.'s office was about to reduce the new charge to something that wouldn't carry jail time in order to get a guilty plea. That's just how these cases are routinely handled.

I was able to get the feds to pick up the charge and the perpetrator ended up serving some time (maybe a year or so).

[Debby]

Nancy ~ whatever you choose to wear will be fabulous, I am sure. I am also eagerly anticipating seeing you when you get to Chester County.

Now to just figure out which flavor of brownies that I will be making! LOL! I just made virgin raspberry for Lisa Scottoline (her request), and have been advised that that wont do for you.

Regarding, the fabulous Moolah...I never heard of her, but she does sound...fabulous.

Mary ~ good luck.

Me...off to check the liqueur supply before the next baking session.

[Mary Storyteller]

Those strong, tough women opened doors which we need to keep open. I was the first woman agent in my Prudential office in Minneapolis, but there were many other women agents elsewhere who worked hard to prove that women could do the job. I had it relatively easy, already known and mostly accepted by most of the agents and managers, as I'd been the manager's secretary first. (I was still enough of a rarity that one boy told his mom, "the insurance man is on the phone, and he's a girl!" Cute!)
I did some work with a tough woman attorney, whiskey-drinking, cigar-smoking, because she really had to be one of the guys when she started out -- I think she was the first woman to take a case to the MN. supreme court. BTW, her advice on inheritance (should we ever be so fortunate to leave significant sums) was to put it in trust until the heirs' age 30 -- more people have been ruined with too much money than too little (wish I could have a chance to find out, though).
BTW, I just watched _Sicko_ and I do hate the way we handle medical issues and costs. I think if the fraud people had used my name for medical costs instead of cable, I'd be a little understanding . . . I'd still file the reports, but I wouldn't want to inflict bodily harm.

[Mary Storyteller]

Michelle, you are my hero! We need more like you. There was another hero (heroine?) in a recent Reader's Digest article; she chased the ID thief all over, calling the police on her cell, and managed to get her arrested.
With the accounts on my report, the companies took no steps at all to report or even recognize the crime, just gave it to a collection agency and put it on my report. I refuse to accept the term victim -- they stole from Charter, AT&T, Sprint and Laclede, and those are the people who should be dealing with the problem. I told the guy at Laclede that if they'd acted with any due diligence, they might have found the person who really owed them money, but not now, a year and half after closing the account.

[Rita Scott]

Poor Mary! How 'bout we get a law passed for open season on ID thieves ? That would cut down on their numbers!
Tom, after your shopping descriptions, I have to ask, what are you wearing today? LOL

[ramona]

Mary, this is so weird, but I received a strange email from a distant cousin over the weekend, with a bizarre story that he was stranded in Nigeria, after an armed robbery, and needed 1,300 USD's to pay his bills and come home. There was a link to click, but I didn't do it. I did send a separate email to my cousin, telling him I thought his address had been snatched. I received a response that included a why oh why don't you believe me, please send the money via Western Union, and so on. I didn't respond.

Yesterday, a new, group email came from said cousin, saying sorry you all got that horrible scam and that he'd captured his address back. He also said he'd gone through two days of email hell, but he'd also received phone calls from people he hadn't heard from in years, and now he knows all the good family gossip. So I guess there's an upside to everything.

[ramona]

This is kind of on theme, but I'm really just linking this because I hate this guy:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/david-vitter-is-thinking-_b_88727.html

[Kerry, the Martial Tart]

Nancy:
Shopping.com directed me to Boston Proper, which carries a very classy floral sequin jacket that should look fabulous on you (the link won't fit here, unfortunately).

Women wrestlers, women boxers (check out the fabulous "Shadow Boxers", the documentary about the equally fabulous Lucia Rijker -- this woman has sequined hand-wraps! http://www.luciarijker.net/), stuntwomen (http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/doubledare/stuntwomen.html), women martial artists -- we're still struggling to find credibility, authority, and acceptance. Brava to those women who led the way, and brava to those who still fight the good fight!

Nancy, can't wait to check out the book!