The idea of Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of World War II, representing 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 militar…
Why was Rosie the Riveter created?
"Rosie the Riveter" was an iconic poster of a female factory worker flexing her muscle, exhorting other women to join the World War II effort with the declaration that "We Can Do It!" The “We Can Do It!” poster was aimed at boosting morale among workers in the World War II factories producing war materiel.
Where does Rosie the Riveter come from?
And when they finally come into the plants, the men resent them as potential scabs.” To entice these women to join the work force, the image of “Rosie the Riveter” was created. Painted by Norman Rockwell, Rosie the Riveter first appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1943.
Was Rosie the Riveter an actual person?
Unsung for seven decades, the real Rosie the Riveter was a California waitress named Naomi Parker Fraley. Over the years, a welter of American women have been identified as the model for Rosie, the war worker of 1940s popular culture who became a feminist touchstone in the late 20th century.
Who was Rosie the Riveter created by?
Norman Rockwell created this image for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, May 29, 1943. J. Howard Miller's illustration initially had no connection with someone named Rosie. Miller created "We Can Do It," as an employee of Westinghouse as part of the national campaign in the U.S. to enlist women in the workforce.
Who was Rosie the Riveter modeled after?
Naomi Parker Fraley, the inspiration behind Rosie the Riveter, died in January 2018. In 1942, 20-year-old Naomi Parker was working in a machine shop at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, when a photographer snapped a shot of her on the job.
How old was Rosie the Riveter when she died?
"Rosie the Riveter" Phyllis Gould dies at 99 - CBS News.
How old is the real Rosie the Riveter?
She died from kidney failure on May 31, 1997, in Clarksville, Indiana at the age of 77.
What are some fun facts about Rosie the Riveter?
5 Interesting Facts About World War II Icon 'Rosie the Riveter' and the Famous PosterThe "We Can Do It" poster was not the original Rosie the Riveter. ... "Rosies" became a social movement. ... There is no single inspiration for Rosie. ... "We Can Do It" was not a famous slogan during the war. ... Not everyone loves Rosie the Riveter.
What does Rosie the Riveter symbolize?
Rosie the Riveter, media icon associated with female defense workers during World War II. Since the 1940s Rosie the Riveter has stood as a symbol for women in the workforce and for women's independence.
Where is the original Rosie the Riveter painting?
the Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtABOUT – Rosie the Riveter In 2002, the original painting sold at Sotheby's for nearly $5 million. In June 2009 the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas acquired Norman Rockwell's iconic Rosie the Riveter painting for its permanent collection from a private collector.
How old was Rosie the Riveter when she died?
"Rosie the Riveter" Phyllis Gould dies at 99 - CBS News.
What are some fun facts about Rosie the Riveter?
5 Interesting Facts About World War II Icon 'Rosie the Riveter' and the Famous PosterThe "We Can Do It" poster was not the original Rosie the Riveter. ... "Rosies" became a social movement. ... There is no single inspiration for Rosie. ... "We Can Do It" was not a famous slogan during the war. ... Not everyone loves Rosie the Riveter.
What is Rosie the Riveter?
Rosie the Riveter, media icon associated with female defense workers during World War II. Since the 1940s Rosie the Riveter has stood as a symbol for women in the workforce and for women’s independence.
Who put Rosie on the lunch box?
Rockwell placed the name “Rosie” on the lunch box of the worker, and thus Rosie the Riveter was further solidified in the American collective memory. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now. Carrie L. Cokely.
Why were women needed in the factories?
Beginning in 1942, as an increasing number of American men were recruited for the war effort, women were needed to fill their positions in factories. Initially, women workers were recruited from among the working class, but, as the war production needs increased, it became necessary to recruit workers from among middle-class women.
Who was the original Rosie the Riveter?
In 2014, Phyllis Gould , one of the original Rosie the Riveters, visited President Barack Obama in support of a National Rosie the Riveter Day; the United States Senate approved the observance on March 21 in 2017. She also pushed for a Gold Medal for Rosies that will be given starting in 2022.
What is Rosie the Riveter?
Rosie the Riveter was an allegorical cultural icon of World War II, representing 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. Rosie the Riveter is used as a symbol ...
Why was Rosie the Riveter not seen?
After the war, the Rockwell "Rosie" was seen less and less because of a general policy of vigorous copyright protection by the Rockwell estate. In 2002, the original painting sold at Sotheby's for nearly $5 million. In June 2009 the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas acquired Norman Rockwell's iconic Rosie the Riveter painting for its permanent collection from a private collector.
How did Rosie the Riveter affect the American economy?
According to the Encyclopedia of American Economic History, "Rosie the Riveter" inspired a social movement that increased the number of working American women from 12 million to 20 million by 1944, a 57% increase from 1940. By 1944 only 1.7 million unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 34 worked in the defense industry, while 4.1 million unmarried women between those ages did so. Although the image of "Rosie the Riveter" reflected the industrial work of welders and riveters during World War II, the majority of working women filled non-factory positions in every sector of the economy. What unified the experiences of these women was that they proved to themselves (and the country) that they could do a "man's job" and could do it well. In 1942, just between the months of January and July, the estimates of the proportion of jobs that would be "acceptable" for women was raised by employers from 29 to 85%. African American women were some of those most affected by the need for women workers. It has been said that it was the process of whites working alongside blacks during the time that encouraged a breaking down of social barriers and a healthy recognition of diversity.
When was Rosie the Riveter on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post?
Norman Rockwell 's image of "Rosie the Riveter" received mass distribution on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on Memorial Day, May 29, 1943.
Why was Rosie not associated with the image?
During the war, the name "Rosie" was not associated with the image, and the purpose of the poster was not to recruit women workers but to be motivational propaganda aimed at workers of both sexes already employed at Westinghouse.
Where was Rosie the Riveter located?
On October 14, 2000, the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park was opened in Richmond, California, site of four Kaiser shipyards, where thousands of "Rosies" from around the country worked (although ships at the Kaiser yards were not riveted, but rather welded).
Why was Rosie the Riveter created?
Rosie the Riveter was created as part of a concentrated effort to recruit female workers. The song “ Rosie the Riveter,” which depicted a patriotic and driven female worker, was followed by a slew of images and slogans that encouraged American women to join the workforce.
Who uses Rosie the Riveter?
She can be a symbol or a logo for a feminist group or a reference in the rhetoric. Feminists who are outspoken about gender equality are sometimes called “Rosies,” or Rosie the Riveters.
What does Rosie the Riveter represent?
Today, she often represents feminism and women’s empowerment.
What does the speech bubble from Rosie's mouth say?
The speech bubble from her mouth says, “We Can Do It!” . Post-war, Rosie the Riveter has endured as a feminist icon and symbol. The women who joined the workforce were referred to as “Rosies,” and their wartime taste of independence is credited with sparking the second wave feminist movement of the 20th century.
What is the Rosie the Riveter poster?
Their willingness to embrace all hardship to promote the war effort was embodied by J. Howard Miller’s “I Can Do It ” poster featuring the character that became known to history as Rosie the Riveter. Rosie’s iconic image reminds Americans of women’s social and economic awakening amid the worst conflict in human history.
Why were the posters important to the war effort?
In addition, the posters induced both an emotional response and a patriotic call to action. All of these factors proved effective in recruiting men and women to the war effort. Americans understanding of classicism is a major reason why many men (and women) argued that women should not vote or become politicians.
Who is Rosie the Riveter?
The character of "Rosie the Riveter" first began as a song inspired by war worker Rosalind P. Walter . After high school, 19 year old Rosalind began working as a riveter on Corsair fighter planes at the Vought Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut.
What year was Rosie the Riveter published?
On May 29, 1943 , the Norman Rockwell Rosie illustration was published on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
Who wrote the song "Rosie the Riveter"?
After a newspaper article featuring Rosalind’s work was published, songwriters Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb were inspired to write the song “Rosie the Riveter.”. With the release of this song, the concept of Rosie the Riveter became a part of public consciousness.
Who created the Rosie imagery?
Today, perhaps the most famous of all the Rosie imagery is “We Can Do It,” created by J. Howard Miller and published by Westinghouse. Surprisingly, “We Can Do It” was not widely circulated during the war years, and there is no evidence to suggest that it was ever seen outside of the Westinghouse factory floors.
Who created "We can do it"?
Miller created "We Can Do It," as an employee of Westinghouse as part of the national campaign in the U.S. to enlist women in the workforce. The Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division holds hundreds of images relating to American women workers in World War II.
Who is the inspiration behind Rosie the Riveter?
Naomi Parker Fraley, the inspiration behind Rosie the Riveter, died in January 2018. In 1942, 20-year-old Naomi Parker was working in a machine shop at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California, when a photographer snapped a shot of her on the job. In the photo, released through the Acme photo agency, she’s bent over an industrial machine, ...
Who painted the Rosie the Riveter poster?
The woman’s lunch box reads “Rosie,” which linked her with a popular song released that same year called “ Rosie the Riveter ,” by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb.
Why does Naomi Parker wear a turban?
Naomi wears heavy shoes, black suit, and a turban to keep her hair out of harm’s way (we mean the machine, you dope).”. Naomi Parker, more famously known as Rosie the Riveter, working in heels at the Alameda Naval Air station during WWII. Meanwhile, in California, Naomi Parker Fraley had already stumbled on the truth herself.
Why was the Westinghouse poster created?
The poster in question was originally produced in 1943 by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and displayed in its factories to encourage more women to join the wartime labor force. Created by the artist J. Howard Miller, it featured a woman in a red-and-white polka-dot headscarf and blue shirt, flexing her bicep beneath the phrase “We Can Do It!”
Who sang Rosie the Riveter?
The woman’s lunch box reads “Rosie,” which linked her with a popular song released that same year called “ Rosie the Riveter ,” by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. Naomi Parker, Ada Parker, and Frances Johnson representing war work fashion at the Alameda U.S. Naval Air Station.
Who was the woman at the smoking gun?
Dated March 1942 at the Naval Air Station in Alameda, it identified “Pretty Naomi Parker” as the woman at the lathe.
Who was the scholar who created the Fraley poster?
Fraley’s late-in-life fame came as the result of the dedicated efforts made by one scholar, James J. Kimble, to explore the history behind this American and feminist icon and to untangle the legends surrounding the famous poster. “There are so many incredible myths about it, very few of them based even remotely in fact,” Kimble says.
Who created the Rosie the Riveter?
The "Rosie" image popular during the war was created by illustrator Norman Rockwell (who had most certainly heard the "Rosie the Riveter" song) for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943 — the Memorial Day issue. The image depicts a muscular woman wearing overalls, goggles and pins of honor on her lapel.
Who made the Rosie the Riveter poster?
In 1942, as World War II raged in Europe and the Pacific and the song "Rosie the Riveter" filled radio waves across the home front, manufacturing giant Westinghouse commissioned artist J. Howard Miller to make a series of posters to promote the war effort.
Was Rosie the Riveter a success?
The cover was an enormous success and soon stories about real life "Rosies" began appearing in newspapers across the country. The government took advantage of the popularity of Rosie the Riveter and embarked on a recruiting campaign of the same name. The campaign brought millions of women out of the home and into the workforce.
Why was Rosie the Riveter created?
government to encourage white middle-class women to work outside the home during World War II . Although frequently associated with the contemporary women's movement, Rosie the Riveter was not supposed to promote change or enhance the role ...
Who created the image of Rosie the Riveter?
It is this version, commissioned by the U.S. War Production Coordinating Committee and created by artist J. Howard Miller, that has become the iconic image associated with the phrase "Rosie the Riveter.".
Why is Rosie the Riveter described as putting other girls to shame?
Rosie the Riveter was described as putting other girls to shame because "All day long whether rain or shine/She's part of the assembly line/She's making history working for victory" so that her boyfriend Charlie, fighting overseas, can someday come home and marry her.
When was Rosie the Riveter first sung?
According to Emily Yellin, author of Our Mothers' War: American Women at Home and at the Front During World War II (Simon & Shuster 2004), Rosie the Riveter first appeared in 1943 in a song by a male singing group called The Four Vagabonds.
Who painted the cover of "Celebrated in Pictures"?
Celebrated in Pictures. The song was soon followed by a rendering of Rosie by noted illustrator Norman Rockwell on the May 29, 1943 cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
Why did the campaign portray women workers as glamorous?
To overcome the stigmas associated with physical labor, the campaign portrayed women workers as glamorous. Working was the fashionable thing to do, and the implication was that women need not worry about their appearance as they would still be seen as feminine underneath the sweat and grime. Same as Housework.
Overview
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. Rosie the Riveter is used as a symbol of American feminism and women's economic adva…
History
Because the world wars were total wars, which required governments to utilize their entire populations to defeat their enemies, millions of women were encouraged to work in the industry and take over jobs previously done by men. During World War I women across the United States were employed in jobs previously done by men. World War II was similar to World War I in that massive
The song
The term "Rosie the Riveter" was first used in 1942 in a song of the same name written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. The song was recorded by numerous artists, including the popular big band leader Kay Kyser, and it became a national hit. It was also recorded by the R&B group, The Four Vagabonds. The song portrays "Rosie" as a tireless assembly line worker, who earned a "Production E" doing her part to help the American war effort.
Impact
According to the Encyclopedia of American Economic History, "Rosie the Riveter" inspired a social movement that increased the number of working American women from 12 million to 20 million by 1944, a 57% increase from 1940. By 1944 1.7 million unmarried men between the ages of 20 and 34 worked in the defense industry, while 4.1 million unmarried women between th…
Homages
According to Penny Colman's Rosie the Riveter, there was also, very briefly, a "Wendy the Welder" based on Janet Doyle, a worker at the Kaiser Richmond Liberty Shipyards in California.
In the 1960s, Hollywood actress Jane Withers gained fame as "Josephine the Plumber", a character in a long-running and popular series of television comm…
Recognition
The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter by Connie Field is a 65-minute documentary from 1980 that tells the story of women's entrance into "men's work" during WWII. Rosies of the North is a 1999 National Film Board of Canada documentary film about Canadian "Rosies," who built fighter and bomber aircraft at the Canadian Car and Foundry, where Elsie MacGill was also the Chief Aeron…
Images
In 1942, Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company's War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. One of these posters became the famous "We Can Do It!" image, an image that in later years would also be called "Rosie the Riveter" although it had never been given that title during the war. Miller is thought to h…
See also
• Naomi Parker Fraley
• Australian Women's Land Army
• Canary girl – British women working in munitions
• G.I. Generation