WHO WAS ROSIE THE RIVETER?

Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of World War II, representing the women who worked in factories and shipyards - many of whom produced munitions and war supplies.

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. 

The U.S. Office of the War produced a variety of materials designed to convince women to enter into war production jobs as part of their patriotic duty. 

Rosie the Riveter was part of this campaign and became the symbol of women in the workforce during World War II. 

The image was created by the American artist J. Howard Miller in 1942, but it was titled 'We Can Do It!' and had no association with anyone named Rosie.   

It gained the name Rosie in 1943, following the release of the song 'Rosie the Riveter,' by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. 

This song touts the patriotic qualities of the mythical female war employee who defends America by working on the home front.

Rosie the Riveter is recognised today as a symbol for women in the workforce and for women’s independence.    

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