Empowering women is nothing new for Brittany Rivera and her mother, Arlene Anion.

Long before the idea of brining a semi-professional women’s football team to Bakersfield occurred to them, the ambitious duo created the Women’s Empowering Network, a local organization dedicated to assisting local female entrepreneurs pursue their passions and dreams.

While Rivera was raised playing football in Bakersfield, she had her first tackle football experience in the Independent Women’s Football League while a student in Sacramento. She played receiver and defensive back.

But it was only after returning to Bakersfield when she knew that something needed to change.

“I moved back to Bakersfield after living in Sacramento and I just knew I had to play again,” Rivera said.

Although it took a lot of thinking, Rivera and her mother decided to purchase a franchise from the IWFL earlier this year, and they have self-financed the entire enterprise.

Having come from a strong military family, toughness comes natural for Rivera. Anion and her husband are U.S. Army veterans, and Rivera’s sister is actively serving. Though Rivera is co-owner of the team, her intention is to try out and earn her spot.

The Bakersfield Bombers will have a roster comprised of team members who live in the Kern County area, each with a different range of football experience.

But deciding to own a women’s team in a sport that is male dominated has invited much criticism. Some robustly argue that if a professional men’s team cannot be maintained – referring to the Bakersfield Blitz, which dismantled in 2007 – then a women’s league shouldn’t be expected to flourish.

Rivera is skeptical.

“They didn’t hit the right demographic,” she said. “They couldn’t cover their own expenses. But the Bombers are going to play on a high school field. It’s going to be family oriented, and we’re going to have affordable prices.”

As a member of the IWFL, which is distinct from the Legends League, the Bakersfield Bombers will be fully dressed and padded. The tentative kickoff date is sometime in April, but Rivera and Anion will meet with the league in Texas in November to determine next year’s schedule.

The IWFL is a nonprofit women’s tackle football league founded in 2000. It consists of 36 teams across North America and has more than 1,600 female athletes.

If you’re interested in supporting the Bakersfield Bombers or seeking more information, contact Rivera at 330-9143 or visit bakersfieldbombersfootball.com.