Women During WWII: "Rosie the Riveter"

_{Miller, J. Howard, Rosie the Riveter, c.1942 Westinghouse Electric Corporation, War Production Coordinating Committee}

Rosie Riveter, the star of a government campaign is portrayed wearing a red and white bandana and blue overalls. She has her sleeves rolled up to expose a flexed bicep to suggest power. The expression on her face reads confidence and determination as she is saying to all the women that “We Can Do It!”. This appealed to a lot of women who wanted to take on a more extensive role in society.

Rosie Riveter is a cultural icon from the 1940s. She was utilized by the government to recruit women to work in the defense industries, producing munitions and war supplies. Many women finding the message of Rosie Riveter compelling, joined the workforce leading to a 10% increase in the number of women laborers. One out of four married women started working outside of their homes. In addition to working in factories, many women sought out other avenues to contribute to the country such as enlisting in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Squadron established in 1942 or becoming a Women Airforce service pilot. About 350,000 women found the first option to be more enthralling and they joined armed services both at home and abroad. These women pilots fly planes to military bases and tested artifacts and perform non-combat flight drills. In addition to the women joining in service, others joined the war effort by becoming nurses to care for injured abroad.

During the war, Rosie Riveter was a symbol for a working woman. She represented the power of a working women. She was an inspiring image that led many women to believe that women were equally capable as their male counterpart. To recognize Rosie Riveter influence many national historic parks named after her honor.

Changing Role of Women

During the war, women from all over the country including New York joined the workforce. The U.S. War Department took pictures of women working in Brooklyn Navy Yard ca.1942-44. Navy Yard satarted hiring women for the first time in 143 years because of a shortage in male laborers. Though women were allowed to work the same jobs as males, they were payed less.

Identity Crisis

Identity Crisis

People were curious about who was the model of the iconic and influential Rosie Riveter. Two women competed for the position: Geraldine Hoff Doyle and Naomi Parker. Geraldine Doyle, a woman from Michigan, who had a wire service photograph similar to the picture of Rosie Riveter claimed it was her picture on the poster. Many believed her. However, new evidence has turned up that Naomi Parker is the real model. In addition to her picture, taken at the Alameda Naval Air Station in Oakland, California, baring many similarities to Rosie Riveter, the photograph verified that Parker's picture was used as an inspiration for the poster.