Today is National Rosie the Riveter Day- THD Tour Activity

Today, Friday, March 21 is National Rosie the Riveter Day.   Wear your Rosie attire in Celebration of National Rosie the Riveter Day! Be sure to tag. #WomensHistoryMonth.

THD Rosie the Riveter Tour was scheduled last Wednesday, March 19. I originally signed for the tour.  I thought there will be a lot of walking, so I cancelled.  I heard from THD Attendees that the tour was a very informative and worthwhile specially for World WarII enthusiasts/veterans. 

 I did a little search on the subject as well as the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center located in the historic Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond, CA.💚    Here's what I learned,   

Rosie the Riveter is an allegorical cultural icon in the United States who represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who joined the military. She is widely recognized in the "We Can Do It!" poster as a symbol of American feminism and women's economic advantage. Similar images of women war workers appeared in other countries such as Britain and Australia. The idea of Rosie the Riveter originated in a song written in 1942 by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. Images of women workers were widespread in the media in formats such as government posters, and commercial advertising was heavily used by the government to encourage women to volunteer for wartime service in factories. Rosie the Riveter became the subject and title of a Hollywood film in 1944.(From Wikipedia)

Rosie the Riveter and the Women Who Changed History

During World War II, the iconic figure of "Rosie the Riveter" emerged as a symbol of women’s vital contributions to the Home Front. As millions of men left for military service, women filled critical roles in factories, shipyards, and beyond—riveting, welding, and assembling the tools of war. For many, this was their first time stepping into jobs traditionally held by men, reshaping societal perceptions of what women could achieve.

Rosie’s story traces its roots to a 1942 song celebrating the fictional factory worker Rosie, a patriotic and industrious figure who embodied the collective effort of these women. Visual representations soon followed, with J. Howard Miller’s "We Can Do It!" poster for Westinghouse Electric being one of the most enduring. Though initially a workplace morale booster, the poster gained fame in the 1980s as a feminist icon. Norman Rockwell’s 1943 depiction of Rosie on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post offered another interpretation, showing a strong, confident woman wielding a rivet gun with an American flag backdrop.

Breaking Boundaries

Before WWII, women were largely confined to domestic roles or jobs considered "feminine," such as teaching or clerical work. Wartime necessity shattered these boundaries, demonstrating women’s capability in skilled, technical fields. While many returned to traditional roles after the war, the experience planted seeds of change. Women had proven their value in the workforce, and the demand for workplace equality grew louder in the decades that followed.

An Icon for Generations

Rosie’s impact extended well beyond the war years. Her image became a rallying cry for the women’s rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, inspiring legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today, Rosie continues to inspire advocacy for gender equality and representation in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

At Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, visitors can learn about the real women behind the symbol—those who balanced hard labor with family responsibilities, all while contributing to the war effort. Their stories remind us of the profound impact individuals can have when given the opportunity.

Rosie’s legacy isn’t just about breaking barriers; it’s about showing what’s possible. Her enduring message of "We Can Do It!" continues to encourage people to challenge limitations, pursue their ambitions, and work toward a more equitable future.

https://www.nps.gov/rori/learn/historyculture/who-was-rosie-the-riveter.htm

Who is Rosie the Riveter in real life?

For three decades, Geraldine Hoff Doyle was widely acknowledged as the inspiration behind Rosie the Riveter. However, an investigation conducted in the 2000s revealed that Naomi Parker Fraley, who worked at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, was the true inspiration behind the image.

Two Photos of the Richmond Rosie the Riveter Education Center, Richmond, CA

💚For Details visit:https://www.nps.gov/rori/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Meanwhile Did You Know that... 

Chinampas were so efficient that some still exist in Xochimilco, Mexico, today—though they’re used more for tourism than farming! The Aztecs mastered farming with chinampas, artificial islands made of mud and reeds, floating on lakes. These self-watering farms could produce up to seven harvests a year, far outpacing many modern methods. This innovation helped sustain Tenochtitlán, a city of 200,000+ people, making it one of the most advanced urban centers of its time!

Lastly Did you Know that....