Rosie The Riveters

Surnames/tags: Rosie_the_Riveters World_War_II

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Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon in the United States who represented the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions, airplanes and war supplies. The women took the place of the men called up to serve in World War II.

Rosie is widely recognized because of a World War II poster created by J. Howard Miller in 1942. Miller was a Pittsburgh artist. Norman Rockwell, a widely acclaimed artist also created a cover for The Saturday Evening Post on 29 May 1943, showing his version of Rosie the Riveter. His model was Mary Doyle Keefe. Also in 1943, songwriters Louis "Redd" Evans and John Jacob Loeb debuted a song called "Rosie the Riveter."

The actual model for Rosie the Riveter is a subject of great debate. Many believe her inspiration was Geraldine Hoff Doyle from Michigan who worked in one of the Navy machine shops during the war. Others claim she was Rose Will Monroe, a riveter from the Willow Run Bomber Plant in Detroit, Michigan as she was also in a film to help raise war bonds. The inspiration for the song is said to be Rosalind Walter from Long Island, New York who was a riveter on Corsair fighter planes. However, most people believe the legacy of Rosie came from Naomi Parker Fraley. She was photographed at the Naval Air Station machine shop in Alameda, California. This photo from 1942 shows her in a polka-dotted bandana like the image in the poster.

Although the call to work was considered to be temporary for the women, many continued to work as a Rosie. One such example is Elinor Triplett Otto who started working as a riveter at the age of 22 and continued working until she was laid off at the age of 95. Elinor passed away on 10 November 2023 at the age of 104.

During the 1960s, Jane Withers portrayed Josephine the Plumber on Comet cleaning powder commercials. The commercial continued into the 1970s. Rumor has it that Josephine was based on Rosie the Riveter.

Rosie the Riveter (Lyrics and Music by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb, 1942)

While other girls attend their fav'rite cocktail bar, Sipping dry Martinis, munching caviar, There's a girl who's really putting them to shame, Rosie is her name...

All the day long, whether rain or shine, She's a part of the assembly line. She's making history, Working for victory, Rosie (Brrr) the Riveter.

Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage, Sitting up there on the fuselage. That little frail can do, More than a male can do, Rosie (Brrr) the riveter.

Rosie's got a boyfriend, Charlie. Charlie, he's a Marine. Rosie is protecting Charlie, Working overtime, On the riveting machine.

When they gave her a production "E", She was as proud as a girl could be. There's something true, about red, white and blue About Rosie (Brrr) the Riveter. About Rosie (Brrr) the Riveter.

Ev'ry one stops to admire the scene, Rosie at work on the B-Nineteen, She's never twittery, nervous or jittery, Rosie (Brrr)* the riveter.

What if she's smeared full of oil and grease, Doing her bit for the old Lend-lease, She keeps the gang around, They love to hang around, Rosie (Brrr) the riveter.

Rosie's buys a lot of war bonds, The girl really has sense, Wishes she could purchase more bonds, Putting all her cash, Into national defense.

Senator Jones, who is "in the know", Shouted these words on the radio, Berlin will hear about, Moscow will cheer about, Rosie (Brrr) the riveter. Rosie (Brrr) the riveter.

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Rosie the Riveter

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