From the "Redskinettes" to the "First Ladies of Football," this program is the longest running cheerleading team in the NFL. Founded in 1962, and originally named the Redskinettes, this team has brought worldwide recognition to the Washington D.C., area, the Redskins football team, and the NFL.

Partnered with the largest and most prominent Alumni Association among cheerleading teams--more than 900 strong--the women who have cheered and continued to support the Redskins have also helped raise millions since the team's inception by supporting more charities and community events each and every year.

Washington Redskins Cheerleaders

A visit to Bethesda Naval Hospital during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003		Cheerleaders promote their latest swimsuit calendar with DC101's Elliot in the Morning Photo courtesy of Mat Schulman/DC101		A moment of rest during play at FedExField

In the most powerful city in the world, the most popular professional sports team is only a part of FedexField. The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders fame is growing exponentially across the country and around the world. They are lighting up the airwaves and the media with new routines, uniforms, attitudes and have raised the bar of excellence for every other NFL cheerleading squad.

Adorned in burgundy and gold, flanking the field on every side and executing routines that would make even the fastest football player gasp for air, these ladies strive for one thing--to make a difference.

The Legacy

1962		1974		1982

The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are the oldest active cheerleading organization in the NFL. On September 30, 1962, 30 talented and beautiful women made their debut as the Redskinettes. As they marched down the field in Native American costumes to join the band, they stepped into history and the tradition began. In their 45-year history, these ladies have become the most talented, innovative and personable in the NFL.

Since 1962, the Redskins Cheerleaders have toured China to promote American-made products; toured Turkey, Italy, Sicily, Spain and France as part of the USO; filmed TV commercials for Sassoon and Barbara Ellen; appeared in national magazines such as Newsweek, FHM, Ebony, Black Hair Magazine, Salon One, Cosmopolitan and Maxim; performed for country Grammy award winner Gretchen Wilson, Latin sensation Ricky Martin, Larry King, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, the Pointer Sisters and Nancy Reagan; been featured on the David Letterman's top 10 list; won the ESPN celebrity pool tournament; filmed two E! Channel specials; starred in the Comcast SportsNet show "Beauties on the Beach," and won the championship in the battle of the NFL Cheerleaders at the 2007 Super Bowl.

In 1998, the Redskins Cheerleaders released their first annual swimsuit calendar, which was shot on location in the exotic Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In 2000, the Cheerleaders broke new ground with the release of the NFL's most innovative swimsuit calendar, along with "Beauties on the Beach, The Making of the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Calendar" video, which featured body-painted swimsuits and beautiful scenes from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Since that time, they have continued to showcase their beauty.

The Leadership

Donald Wells, Director of Entertainment and Cheerleading

In 1997, the vision of the newly named Cheerleaders Director Donald Wells transformed the Redskins Cheerleaders into the NFL cheerleaders of the future. They became confident, self-sufficient, successful, positive role models for the community--something that other teams now emulate. These cheerleaders are known for being forward-thinkers who push the envelope in their routines and embody the ideals of being First Ladies of Football. Having lived in the metro area his entire life, Donald studied dance at the University of Maryland, College Park and was a dancer in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He spent four years as choreographer and one year as director with the Washington Wizards (NBA) and worked for several years with the University of Maryland Dance Team. Under Donald's leadership, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders started the Junior Redskins Cheerleaders program, the annual swimsuit calendar, the Variety Show and the list continues to grow. Entering his 12th season with the Redskins, Donald has traveled on 23 DOD Tours that have taken him to more than 40 countries. Donald now works in several areas involving entertainment within the organization, while continuing to oversee the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders.

Stephanie Jojokian, Director and Choreographer

In 2004, Stephanie was hired as the first full-time Choreographer in Redskins Cheerleaders history and only the second in the entire NFL. She has choreographed and performed for Master P's 504 Boys "Whodee" Video, Crystal Waters "Just Say Hey" Video and danced with Darrin Henson in his "Darrin's Dance Grooves 2" video. Stephanie has performed at the Kennedy Center and in New York City as a member of the modern company Tony Powell Music & Movement, as well as Dance Place as a member of Carla & Company. She has traveled to more than 30 Countries on 10 AFE Tours. Stephanie is now honored to be the choreographer for the Redskins Cheerleaders and the National Champion Redskins Jr. All Stars (competitive team). Prior to coming to the Redskins, she was the director/choreographer for seven seasons with the NBA's Washington Wizards NBA Dancers, where she danced for two seasons prior to taking over the leadership. She studied dance at UNC-Greensboro and Alvin Ailey in New York City. Stephanie has been on 10 AFE tours and traveled to more than 25 countries. Stephanie is the co-founder of Capitol Movement [underlined links to www.capitolmovement.org], the areas largest dance foundation which works with hundreds of local dancers each year. She is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Cheerleader department and continues to create the best choreography in the NFL.

Melanie Treanor, Director of Marketing, Washington Redskins Cheerleaders

In 2001, Melanie Treanor took over the task to help make the Redskins Cheerleaders grow as a business and was brought on to be the squad's first-ever Marketing and Events Coordinator. After being a cheerleader in high school, Melanie spent a year on the nationally ranked University of Maryland Dance Team. She then spent four seasons as a Redskins Cheerleader and was one of 12 members to first go on tour with Armed Forces Entertainment in 1999. Since that time she has been on 10 tours to more than 30 countries. In 1999, Melanie also received her B.A. degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland. Since taking over the position, Melanie has helped elevate the squad to the next level. Because of her tireless efforts, the Cheerleaders can now be seen at more than 300 events all over the United States and the world each year. She has helped negotiate dozens of corporate sponsorships. Today, the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are more visible than ever and have more corporate branding than any other squad in history.

Taking The World By Storm

Egypt 2000		Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 2001		Kosovo 2002

The Redskins Cheerleaders returned to the international stage in 1999 as guests of the Department of Defense, performing for U.S. troops in the Balkans (Bosnia, Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Hungary). They were the first entertainment group to perform for the troops after the war in Kosovo. For 16 days, the First Ladies of Football boosted morale and captured the hearts of more than 10,000 men and women of the military. Since that time they have traveled on 24 tours with Armed Forces Entertainment to more than 40 countries, including several trips to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Cheerleaders will continue to support the troops for years to come.

With their international appeal and stardom on the rise, the First Ladies of Football have transformed NFL cheerleaders into the new millennium by breaking new ground with their sleek new style and amazing talents. From the simple, yet very visible redesign of the uniform, to the rejuvenated commitment to charity and community, these ladies have established themselves as the premiere squad in the NFL.