The Grammy Museum hosted the first all-female panel discussion in association with History of LA Ska on Wednesday, November 19. Moderated by Junor Francis and guest speakers Dunia Best, Gina Rodriguez, Heather Augustyn, Karina Denike, Persephone “Queen P” Laird, Sarah-Jane Owen, and Tara Hahn.
The GRAMMY Museum has been a hub for the History of LA Ska since 2017, hosting numerous memorable panel discussions and special events that celebrate the genre’s deep roots, key players, and ongoing impact on music and culture. On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Museum hosted the first all-female panel aptly titled Ska Her Way.
Featured panelists include seven talented and well-respected singers, songwriters, musicians, authors, and aficionados in ska: Dunia Best (Rude Girl Revue, Dunia & Aram, Supernova Alliance), Gina Rodriguez (The Shantees, The Cover-Ups, The Twi-Lites, Riddem Queens), Heather Augustyn (author of “Rude Girls: Women of 2-Tone & One Step Beyond”), Karina Denike (Dance Hall Crashers, NOFX), Persephone “Queen P” Laird (Ocean Eleven, LA Allstar Revue), Sarah-Jane Owen (The Bodysnatchers, The Belle Stars), Tara Hahn (Half Past Two).
Women have played crucial and often under-appreciated roles in the development, performance, and evolution of ska music across all of its waves—from its origins in Jamaica in the 1960s, through the British 2 Tone movement in the late 1970s, to the underground traditional scene and popularity of ska punk in the 1990s, and beyond.
In the Museum’s intimate 200-seat Clive Davis Theater, guests were treated to a quick history of females in ska by author Heather Augustyn. Augustyn spoke on the origins of the rebellious genre. She stated that Sister Mary Ignatius Davies, a Jamaican Catholic nun who was the director of the music program at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, was the backbone of the genre. Augustyn also noted Layla Wilson (the first female leader of a jazz band), Sonia Pottinger (first female Jamaican record producer), and Janet Enright (first female Jamaican guitarist) are pioneers of ska through their essence of rebellion.
Each panelist shared their own experience of being a female in the ska scene. Sarah “SunJay,” a legendary singer, songwriter, musician, fashion designer, yoga instructor, and spiritual healer who relocated to Southern California from the U.K. in the late 1980s, mentioned seeing racism and discrimination against her bandmates. She also stated she was confused as to why the National Front was dancing to black music yet being openly racist, but it wasn’t until she arrived in the States that she realized just how segregated the world was. Witnessing brawls and riots within the crowds while on stage was a terrifying moment for Owen, but she realized the power of music and its ability to unite.
Gina Rodriguez, member of The Shantees, described what it was like being Los Angeles’ first all-female ska band from the early 1990s. “It wasn’t in our mind thinking that we’re going to be the all, the first ones, said Rodriguez. “We didn’t even know it until someone told us.” She then elaborated that it was just a safe space for a group of girls to play together, and then it became a way to shut down the sexist critics.
From different eras, different experiences, each panelist agreed that they’d like to see more women in ska. Every panelist mentioned just how far the genre has come and the community of safe spaces it has built, but hopes more voices join in its rebellious nature and speak up for great causes just as its predecessors.
Ska Her Way is part of History of LA Ska, a one on one series hosted by Junor Francis celebrating So Cal’s ska, rocksteady & vintage reggae scene. To find the podcast episodes or learn more, visit here.
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