ROWLESBURG — The 10th anniversary of the Greatest Generation World War II Museum in Rowlesburg takes place at the end of June. One of the most anticipated events will feature a program to honor the West Virginia “Rosies.”
During World War II, due to shortage of manpower, women were encouraged to join the workforce to do the jobs normally reserved for men. At the height of the war there were approximately 20 million women working jobs in shipbuilding, arms factories, clothing industry, and other domestic and defense industries. The work done by these women was crucial to the war effort.
Rosie was usually depicted in blue coveralls wearing a colorful bandana tied around her hair while flexing her bicep muscle. Her slogan was: “We can do it!”
In many cases the women worked in highly secretive defense plants knowing only that their jobs were contributing to the end of the war. One woman was told that she was making a better mousetrap when actually she was making a fuse for artillery and anti-aircraft shells. Another woman was an atomic welder who welded seams inside a ship. Many women worked on aircraft building complete war planes from start to finish. Others filled jobs not so romantic but their work was valued nonetheless.
Today, these women are in their late 80s and 90s. While we have lost many of them there are still many who are active in their communities and “Rosie” projects. There is an effort afoot, although dismally late, to honor these women who contributed so much to the war effort.
Women today can thank the “Rosies” for starting the movement to appreciate and value women for more than cooking and having babies. Before World War II, most women were confined to the home with little or no status as persons of worth. But the war changed that as women proved that they were just as capable as men to do intricate and complicated work.
The West Virginia “Rosies” program begins at 2:15 p.m., Saturday, June 27 in the Szilagyi Center in Rowlesburg and will pay special tribute to these women. “Rosies” from around the area are invited to attend and tell their stories.
If you are a Rosie or know someone who was, please call Jewell at 304-415-5263. We want to honor you at our World War II event.
Kathleen Wolfe-Orescanin can be reached at 304-454-9232 or by email at kvwo1@frontier.com
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