When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7th, 1941, the people of the United States were stunned into action. While our young men went off to fight in Europe and SE Asia, those on the home front got to work.
Over 6 million women trained and entered the workplace, replacing men on the assembly lines, welding, offices, building bombs, aircraft, and ships. Families volunteered their services as air wardens and trainers. Even children helped by gathering milkweed pods to make parachutes or collecting what we now call recyclables: foil, newspapers, rubber, and even cast-off rags.
On April 10, 2024, in Washington D.C., the legendary Rosie the Riveters from WWII received a significant honor: the Congressional Gold Medal. This special award is a nod to the hard work and dedication of Mae Krier and the late Phyllis Gould, two real-life Rosies who truly lived by the motto, “We Can Do It!” and worked years for this recognition.
About two dozen of these amazing women, all American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA) members ranging from 88 to 106 years old, were invited to the ceremony at the United States Capitol. The Speaker of the House rolled out the red carpet for them, making it a day to remember as they were recognized for their incredible contributions to American history.