The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : "Rosie the Riveter", R.I.P.

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"Rosie the Riveter", R.I.P.

By Aaron Goldstein on 12.30.10 @ 5:38PM

Geraldine Hoff Doyle, a.k.a. "Rosie the Riveter", passed away on Sunday. She was 86.

The famed image of Doyle's flexed muscle would become a call to arms for women to enter the workforce during the Second World War to help manufacture munitions, aircraft, boats, jeeps and other goods. It would later serve as an inspiration to future generations seeking equality for women.

Ironicially, Doyle herself was unaware of the poster until 1984.

Only a couple of days before her passing, plans were announced to build a visitors center at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park which opened in Richmond, California in 2003. The visitors center could open as early as the fall of 2011.

While there were battles to be won in Europe and in the Pacific these battles could not have been won without help from "Rosie the Riveter" and millions of other women here on the homefront. Their efforts were indispensable to the war effort.

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

Hank Archer| 12.30.10 @ 9:09PM

Richmond, California.

Aaron Goldstein| 12.30.10 @ 11:09PM

Thank you kindly. All fixed up.

handbags| 12.30.10 @ 9:37PM

thanks your share!

Richard Baker| 12.31.10 @ 11:13AM

My Grandmother Chastney was one of the Rosies because she riveted on B-24s at the Willow Run plant in Michigan. She's gone now and so is the lady on the poster. The country is the lesser for their passing.

Eric Cartman| 12.31.10 @ 12:27PM

My mother worked at the same plant in the tool shed (I'm a VERY late surprise baby) of Rochester Carburetor. That's where she met my dad, an electrician still working building the plant. My mother is still alive. I love hearing her stories about that era. That generation's passing is being felt in many bad ways. We are all lesser for it.

Occam's Tool| 1.1.11 @ 5:05AM

Indeed, Eric. My Father-in-Law is 87, now.

Eric Cartman| 1.1.11 @ 12:55PM

Well, let's hope they both grace us with their presence for many more years. It's a joy having her around - well, except when I have to explain the DVD p[layer to her ;-)