Rosie the Riveter

In today’s time, Rosie the Riveter is a very popular costume for women. I have also seen women empowerment campaigns and groups use Rosie the Riveter as a symbol. Rosie is seen as a symbol of “girl power”, promoting great strength for various women awareness topics.

But did you know that Rosie the Riveter was a real person? Make that plural. Rosie was not just one woman— she was an embodiment of women. Many women served as a “Rosie” during WWII. In fact, Rosie the Riveter was a movement which paved the way for many opportunities women have today.

Rosie the Riveter: Meeting the Original Rosies

Last year, Michala and I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Rosie the Riveter Guinness World Record event in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The event was to gather as many “Rosies” to break a world record of “The Most Rosie the Riveters.” The event was held at the Willow Run Airport– the original plant “Rosies” worked at during WWII.

I have a confession to make. Before we moved to Michigan, I did not know very much about Rosie the Riveter. I knew it was related to WWII and it was also a very popular costume for women. But other than that, I didn’t know it’s origination or how the campaign played a great role in the war efforts.

Who are the Original Rosies?

During WWII, many men were deployed serving in the war. There was a great need for industrial workers in the United States so a campaign was created (Rosie the Riveter) to recruit women to work in factories.

Most of the women did not have experience in the industrial industry. Yet, they proudly served, and if it wasn’t for them, the U.S. may not have had the help they needed.

It was doubted at first that women could do heavy industrial work, but with the war escalating, manufacturers and the government were desperate for workers. These pioneering “Rosies” proved that women could do a man’s job, and do it well, and paved the way for the workplace diversity we enjoy today.

Quote from Save the Willow Run Bomber Plant & The Yankee Air Museum

African American Women Also Served

Black women also worked in bomber plants during the war. According to the Philadelphia Free Press, more than 600,000 African American women worked in government, factories, and corporate offices. The women earned more money serving in these various positions than they did as sharecroppers and housekeepers. These jobs allowed Black women to move “from bare subsistence levels to life-sustaining wages.”

During the event, the museum also recognized the Black women who served during WWII. You can read the article about “The Other Rosie the Riveters” here if you like.

Rosie the Riveter: Meeting the Original Rosies
Photo courtesy Alfred T. Palmer – United States Library of Congress

Why go to the Rosie the Riveter Event?

I thought it would be an enriching learning experience for Michala. She could learn first-hand how women from a different time period were strong and worked hard to achieve their life goals. It was a great opportunity for Michala to understand how women, like the “Original Rosies,”  helped pave the way in the workforce for women today.

We learned valuable information about the female wartime workers and the great service they gave to our country. I felt honored and humbled to have met the “Original Rosies.”

A Heartfelt Experience

As the announcer called out each woman’s name, my eyes filled with tears. I felt very proud of the “Rosies” service during WWII. I also felt great emotion because my husband was only a few months fresh out of the Army. It reminded me of our former life as a military family, my husband’s military deployments, and how much patriotism was valued during our time as an Army family.

Rosie the Riveter: Meeting the Original Rosies
Rosie the Riveter: Meeting the Original Rosies

Tribute Rosie

It was an honor to have volunteered for the Rosie the Riveter Guinness World Record event. The “Original Rosies” are true American heroes. Attending the event inspired me to become a volunteer Tribute Rosie.

The Tribute Rosies attend various events in Michigan and other U.S. states to help raise awareness about saving the Bomber Plant. So far, I have attended three events and it has always been a great pleasure to connect with other women and educate the general public about the campaign.

Tribute Rosies
I volunteered with my fellow Rosies for the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial at the Royal Oak Art Fair. (I’m at the far right.)
Tribute Rosies
Tribute Rosies show their support for the “Save the Bomber Plant” campaign at the Livingston County Air Show. (Photo Credit: Jennifer Hamra)

To learn more about the Yankee Air Museum’s campaign to “Save the Bomber Plant”, please visit the Save the Bomber Plant’s official website. It is an amazing campaign!


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All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit.

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].