Redux: Rosie The Riveter


<br /> Our Family’s Rosies<br />

Our Three Rosies


During World War II millions of men volunteered or were conscripted to serve in the military. As the men left the workforce, the country’s factories were desperately short of employees – especially the factories that directly supported the war effort.

Our government immediately started a national recruitment effort asking women to join the depleted workforce. Using the well known Rosie the Riveter posters, they called on women to show their patriotism with their labor. In all, some 6 million women were employed by these war time factories.


Over the years, Mom related bits and pieces about their early years working for the war effort. Each day the three traveled from their home in New Rochelle, NY to the General Motors assembly plant had been converted to build wings for the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber. Without a car, they were given a ride with a neighbor who also worked at the plant in Tarrytown, NY about twenty-five miles away.

While neither Mom nor her sisters received Congressional Gold Metals, I ordered three of these commemorative metals for the families of Mom and two her sisters.

 


We should thank all of these women for their dedication and patriotism. You can read a portion of the General Motors operation in Tarrytown during the war years by clicking here.

 


 

If you know someone who fits the Rosie the Riveter moniker you can order one of the commemorative metals from the United States Mint as a way to thank them.

Written by:

Arnie Lee

 

 


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