My hubby and brother are Air Force veterans, and my father was a WWII Marine Veteran [passed away in 2011]. I'm grateful to all veterans who have served to preserve the freedoms I enjoy. God bless our military!
Today's Veteran's Day post has a different spin, however, because I'm focusing on "Rosie the Riveter." She wasn't recruited into the military, but she was recruited to make munitions and war supplies, and work in aircraft factories during World War II. Her work was crucial to the war effort. Movies, newspapers, and posters stressed the patriotic need for women to enter the work force, as partners in winning the war.
"Rosie the Riveter" was the 'star' of a government propaganda campaign in that endeavor. The strong, bandanna-clad Rosie became one of the most successful recruitment tools in American history, and the most iconic image of working women in the WWII era.
On October 24, 2015, 2,090 "Rosie the Riveters" from 16 states and Canada assembled at the old Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township, MI [where many "Rosies" worked during WWII] for the purpose of breaking the Guinness World Record of the largest gathering of women dressed as Rosie the Riveter [the previous record was 1,084 set in California in 2014].
They succeeded on their mission, and had the honor of 43 "Original Rosies" in attendance.
[Internet Photos]
The rules stated the Rosies had to assemble in one place for at least five minutes. As they gathered they sang the National Anthem, Amazing Grace, and America the Beautiful. When the time expired, cheers erupted. There are awesome internet videos of the event.
Yesterday when we toured the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing, MI [following the tour of the Capitol Building], there was a section devoted to WWII and Rosie the Riveter. Below is granddaughter, Isabella, and me with with our head inserted into a Rosie poster.
~ Factory lockers were part of the display ~
~ WOW - Woman Ordnance Worker ~
When I attended an apron presentation a couple of weeks ago, there was a Rosie the Reviter apron in the collection, which inspired me to pursue the theme "Rosie the Riveter" for one of my 2016 presentations. In addition to aprons, there are pins, polka-dot bandannas, T-shirts, tea towels, mugs, and other Rosie memorabilia available, so let the collecting and research begin! To my knowledge, there has never been a tea blended in honor of Rosie the Riveter, but I think it would be an awesome idea, don't you?
Do you know a Rosie the Riveter?
Oh yes, a Rosie the Riveter tea blend is a great idea! (Can't you create your own blend with some tea company? I can't think of the name, but I can picture their tea tins!) It would have to be a STRONG, brisk tea, wouldn't you think? This year, I noted with interest that some young local ladies dressed as Rosie the Riveter at Halloween. I'm thrilled they know who she is! (And you and Isabella make great Rosies, by the way!)
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