Doyle, J. (2009, February 28). Rosie the riveter. Retrieved from http://www.pophistorydig.com/?p=877
Dungan, T. (2009, June 09). Rosie the riveter. Retrieved from http://www.rosietheriveter.org/painting.htm
Sorensen, A. (2007, March 12). Rosie the riveter: Women working during world war ii . Retrieved from http://www.ushistoryfacts.com/riveter
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
My Role in History
Many
people dub Rosie the Riveter as a feminist icon, but historians stress that she
wasn't at all. Rosie was created to inspire women to join the work force. In
the second world war, a problem arose where (due to the masses of men leaving
to serve in the war), there was a huge gap in job vacancies. The country
desperately needed American women to step up and continue the work that needed
to be done.
Most of
the jobs in dire need were in factories making supplies for the war. Popular
jobs for women in this time were on the West coast, often serving in shipyards,
in assembly lines or, you guessed it, riveters. Women in this time period were
actually accustomed to the working environment, but it was very sexually
separated. Women often worked "easy" jobs, in department stores or
nurseries, while it was up to the men to do the mining and factory work. When
society realized it's need to fill in the jobs, the government created a propaganda
campaign to convince the country's wives and mothers to leave their comfortable
lives, and move to the west for industry. It was due to "loyal, pretty,
and patriotic" Rosie (and her relatable relationship with her soldier
boyfriend, Charlie) that women realized that it was their DUTY to serve their
country. They could bring honor, and hopefully their loved ones home more
quickly, if they answered the call to work.
While
patriotism played a role in recruiting women, the economic side of the coin
played a large part in the decision. The western industry jobs proved to pay a
lot more than their old ones, in addition to teaching them real life skills,
and giving them a sense of satisfaction. However, while Rosie is most
associated with factory jobs, the majority of women worked in service for the
nation, such as telephone connectors. Women loved these jobs for multiple
reasons; the money was better, less dirty work was required, and the hours were
more flexible. A huge struggle for women at this time was balancing the load
between working at their paid job, and helping at the house. This is a new
problem that men had never before had to deal with.
Although
the women were simply trying to help, their actions were not always
appreciated. Men grew suspicious of women's intentions and sometimes formed
unions against them. Women were not taken seriously in the workplace
(especially if working in a traditional male role), and were not given the full
advantages that men previously received. Women were paid a lot less, and were
denied any say in the direction of their company. The outlook improved, but
society consistently reminded the girls that it was their primary job to serve
in the household. The belief spread that a careered woman would never find a
husband.
After
the war, most of the women were replaced by men workers, and the girls left
behind were paid exceptionally less. Although it may have seemed as if all
their hard work was erased, the temporary reign in the WWII period gave women a
sense of hope. The experience allowed women to believe that they were capable
of doing "man work", as well as providing in the household. The
euphoria led to the determination for voting rights, and eventually equal
rights for women in the United States.
Marilyn Monroe...the Riveter?
It's true; Marilyn Monroe was once a Real Rosie! In 1945,
(before Marilyn became the Hollywood starlett), the New York "Yank"
magazine did an article about the war effort in New York. At the time, she was
married to a marine, and named Norma Jean Dougherty. Marilyn was working in an
assembly line at Radio Plane munitions factory in California, to support her
husband who was off fighting the war. The unfamous Marilyn was featured on the
cover of the "Yank" magazine, holding a propeller blade happily. It
was at this very factory where Marilyn's talents were discovered. Marilyn filed
for divorce, and ran away to pursue her dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress.Real Life Rosies
Many of the women who had responded to "Rosie's
Call" had been from small town states, who moved to California. These
women worked in factories that made things necessary for war, such as arms, but
often times whole ships and airplanes too. These girls roughed it out, and did
what was necessary to lead their country to victory.
Bethena Moore
Bethena was a small woman of only 110 pounds, who was
originally a laundry lady. She moved from Louisiana to California, and worked
in a shipyard. She was helpful in sneaking into the small cracks of the ship on
a tiny ladder to weld the ship's bottom. She recalls that it was very dark and
scary, but she worked for the soldiers overseas.
Phyllis McKey Gould
Phyllis was an African-American woman who also moved to
California to become a welder. Prior to her "calling", Phyllis had never
worked a day in her life. She recalls that she felt that it was her suty to
serve the nation. At one point in history, there were 90,000 African-American
women working in California shipyards.
Dot Kelley
Dot had just gone through a nasty divorce, and was now singularly
raising her children. When she saw the $600 checks the women at the shipyards
were making, she quit her job at the local department store, and requested a
job at the shipyard. A determined mother, Dot worked nights so that she could
be with her children during the day. Dot received major injuries due to her hard work. Once the war
ended, she was forced to work 2-3 jobs to provide for her children. When Dot
was 94 years old, the National Public Radio told her story.Timeline
1942-
Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. The original "We Can Do It!" poster was among these. The poster was nothing exceptional at the time, and is rumored to have only been in one factory area for just two weeks.
February 1942- Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb released the song "Rosie the Riveter", about a young woman who enters the workforce to help support her soldier boyfriend, Charlie. It was performed and variated by many different music groups at the time, and in later decades.
1943
May- The Saturday Evening Post released an issue with a cover painted by Norman Rockwell of a strong and sassy Rosie the Riveter. Rosie was eating a sandwich while o her lunch break at a dirty factory, with her foot slyly standing on Hitler's novel "Mein Kampf". The controversial cover immediately got people talking, and was the first major event in the Rosie the Riveter phase.
June-Due to the huge response the newspaper recieved from the public on their last cover, the Saturday Evening Post ran a story about the Norman Rockwell painting of Rosie the Riveter. The article analyzed the satire used in the painting, and the statement was made that "Rockwell’s Rosie tramples Hitler under her all-American penny loafer.". The article reinstigated the idea that American women (if up to the task) could easily play a huge part in the nation, and trample Hitler.
July- The Art Digest magazine did another follow up on the famous painting in their publishings. The magazine analyzed the painting in the same way that the Saturday Evening Post had, but it was due to this second article that the painting was begged to go on tour around the country.
August- Life magazine was the next to step into the limelight, as it took the analysis of Rosie the Riveter one step further in "The Many Faces of Rosie the Riveter". The magazine interviewed dozens of "real-life Rosies" around the country, and opened the nation's eyes to the female heros of the country. Women were named and interviewed on what their job was in their factory, what it involved, and who they were fighting for. The piece was very moving and made women everywhere realize that factory work was something that they could, and should, do.
September- The Magazine War Guide asked all US magazines to participate in the "Women and Work" cover promotion. They requested that in the month of September, magazines would dedicate their covers to promote vital work jobs for women. This idea helped spread the word to citizens from every social and interest standing in America.
- The Saturday Evening Post dazzled America yet again with their cover. When the Women and Work request was sent, they contacted Norman Rockwell for another Rosie painting. Titled "Rosie to the Rescue", the painting shows the woman as a jack-of-all-trades. Dressed in an American flag patterned outfit, she slings dozens of objects over her shoulder, each representing an in-demand job. Some jobs represented include a nurse, mechanic, telephone operator, milkman, farmer, and other civilian jobs. Ths really got the word out about easy, everyday things women could do to help their country.
1944
Hollywood releases "Rosie the Riveter", a romantic comedy movie about a woman working at a dirty factory. The film continued to promote women roles in industry.
1980
"The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" documentary is released. The documentary included 700 interviews with people involved in the making of Rosie, to real life Rosies who worked in the industries. The documentary enabled people of the later time period to understand the role of women in the second world war.
1984
The movie "Swing Shift" was released, following the same idea as Rosie. The film tells the story of the dramatic lives of five women working in an airplane industry in the 1940's. The movie continued to live on legacy of Rosie.
1998
-The United States Postal Service released a Rosie the Riveter postage stamp, displaying the original "We Can Do It!" poster.
-A Rosie the Riveter action figure is released, stating the idealism of Rosie as an American heroine. When describing the doll, one of the toy merchants jokingly explained “…You can use her to beckon your Barbies out of their mansions and into the factories to do their part for the US of A."
2000
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial is opened in California. The memorial provides a resting place fthe brave women who played a role in the war. The memorial features a statue of a ship under construction, signifying the average job completed by the women whose bodies remain there.
2002
In this year, the original painting of Rosie, done by Norman Rockwell, was put on auction by a collector, to the general public. The heat for the painting was heavy, and it ended up being sold for $4,959,500. It goes to show just how big of an impact this woman had on the nation.
Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. The original "We Can Do It!" poster was among these. The poster was nothing exceptional at the time, and is rumored to have only been in one factory area for just two weeks.
February 1942- Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb released the song "Rosie the Riveter", about a young woman who enters the workforce to help support her soldier boyfriend, Charlie. It was performed and variated by many different music groups at the time, and in later decades.
1943
May- The Saturday Evening Post released an issue with a cover painted by Norman Rockwell of a strong and sassy Rosie the Riveter. Rosie was eating a sandwich while o her lunch break at a dirty factory, with her foot slyly standing on Hitler's novel "Mein Kampf". The controversial cover immediately got people talking, and was the first major event in the Rosie the Riveter phase.
June-Due to the huge response the newspaper recieved from the public on their last cover, the Saturday Evening Post ran a story about the Norman Rockwell painting of Rosie the Riveter. The article analyzed the satire used in the painting, and the statement was made that "Rockwell’s Rosie tramples Hitler under her all-American penny loafer.". The article reinstigated the idea that American women (if up to the task) could easily play a huge part in the nation, and trample Hitler.
July- The Art Digest magazine did another follow up on the famous painting in their publishings. The magazine analyzed the painting in the same way that the Saturday Evening Post had, but it was due to this second article that the painting was begged to go on tour around the country.
August- Life magazine was the next to step into the limelight, as it took the analysis of Rosie the Riveter one step further in "The Many Faces of Rosie the Riveter". The magazine interviewed dozens of "real-life Rosies" around the country, and opened the nation's eyes to the female heros of the country. Women were named and interviewed on what their job was in their factory, what it involved, and who they were fighting for. The piece was very moving and made women everywhere realize that factory work was something that they could, and should, do.
September- The Magazine War Guide asked all US magazines to participate in the "Women and Work" cover promotion. They requested that in the month of September, magazines would dedicate their covers to promote vital work jobs for women. This idea helped spread the word to citizens from every social and interest standing in America.
- The Saturday Evening Post dazzled America yet again with their cover. When the Women and Work request was sent, they contacted Norman Rockwell for another Rosie painting. Titled "Rosie to the Rescue", the painting shows the woman as a jack-of-all-trades. Dressed in an American flag patterned outfit, she slings dozens of objects over her shoulder, each representing an in-demand job. Some jobs represented include a nurse, mechanic, telephone operator, milkman, farmer, and other civilian jobs. Ths really got the word out about easy, everyday things women could do to help their country.
1944
Hollywood releases "Rosie the Riveter", a romantic comedy movie about a woman working at a dirty factory. The film continued to promote women roles in industry.
1980
"The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter" documentary is released. The documentary included 700 interviews with people involved in the making of Rosie, to real life Rosies who worked in the industries. The documentary enabled people of the later time period to understand the role of women in the second world war.
1984
The movie "Swing Shift" was released, following the same idea as Rosie. The film tells the story of the dramatic lives of five women working in an airplane industry in the 1940's. The movie continued to live on legacy of Rosie.
1998
-The United States Postal Service released a Rosie the Riveter postage stamp, displaying the original "We Can Do It!" poster.
-A Rosie the Riveter action figure is released, stating the idealism of Rosie as an American heroine. When describing the doll, one of the toy merchants jokingly explained “…You can use her to beckon your Barbies out of their mansions and into the factories to do their part for the US of A."
2000
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial is opened in California. The memorial provides a resting place fthe brave women who played a role in the war. The memorial features a statue of a ship under construction, signifying the average job completed by the women whose bodies remain there.
2002
In this year, the original painting of Rosie, done by Norman Rockwell, was put on auction by a collector, to the general public. The heat for the painting was heavy, and it ended up being sold for $4,959,500. It goes to show just how big of an impact this woman had on the nation.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Modern Day Me
In the 1940's, I believed that women could soon rule the world. I knew that us ladies had just as much (if not, more) potential as men, and could achieve anything that we set our minds to. Seventy years later, my ladies have made me proud. Women have risen up to the occasion, earning thousands of dollars a year, being single mothers, voting in political elections, and all while looking stunning in four inch heels.
Here is a list of some of my Modern Day Rosie's. The women in this list have all set amazing examples for women everywhere; leading womankind into new opportunities, presenting new ideas, and changing the rules on what it means to be a woman.
Oprah is best known for her self-named talk show, but she is also an actress, producer, and philanthropist. Oprah was rasied by a teenage mother living below the poverty line, and was accordingly raped at just age nine. In high school, Oprah was the school radio host, and from there thrived from her love of media. Oprah has been ranked the richest African-American of her century, as well as the world's only black billionare. Due to all this, Winfrey has been dubbed the world's most influential woman.
More commonly known as Kate Middleton, this average commoner enchanted the whole world when she married Prince William. The engagement made people everywhere fall in love with fairytales once more. Middleton reinstigated the belief that classy is stylish. Her mannerisms and conservative nature charmed the world, and is said to have caused an effect on young girls everywhere. Revealing clothing was out, conservative clothing was in. This fashion phenomenom was dubbd "The Kate Effect" in Europe.
Lady Gaga (1986)
Also known as Stephani Germanotta, Lady Gaga is a singer and songwriter from New York City. Gaga states that she did not come from a wealthy household, and her family had to work for everything. She was first founded by R&B singer Akon, who helped her release her current three albums, a numerous number one hits. Gaga is most well known for the huge change she brought to the music industry- to her, it was not just a song, but an act. Gaga does not go anywhere without a costume, a prop, and a story. Her shows remind audience members of a circus. On top of altering the music industry, Gaga is a philanthropist who actively pushes for gay rights, and end to HIV/AID's, and owns an organization to stop bullying.
Here is a list of some of my Modern Day Rosie's. The women in this list have all set amazing examples for women everywhere; leading womankind into new opportunities, presenting new ideas, and changing the rules on what it means to be a woman.
Oprah Winfrey (1954)
Oprah is best known for her self-named talk show, but she is also an actress, producer, and philanthropist. Oprah was rasied by a teenage mother living below the poverty line, and was accordingly raped at just age nine. In high school, Oprah was the school radio host, and from there thrived from her love of media. Oprah has been ranked the richest African-American of her century, as well as the world's only black billionare. Due to all this, Winfrey has been dubbed the world's most influential woman.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (1982)
More commonly known as Kate Middleton, this average commoner enchanted the whole world when she married Prince William. The engagement made people everywhere fall in love with fairytales once more. Middleton reinstigated the belief that classy is stylish. Her mannerisms and conservative nature charmed the world, and is said to have caused an effect on young girls everywhere. Revealing clothing was out, conservative clothing was in. This fashion phenomenom was dubbd "The Kate Effect" in Europe.
Lady Gaga (1986)
Also known as Stephani Germanotta, Lady Gaga is a singer and songwriter from New York City. Gaga states that she did not come from a wealthy household, and her family had to work for everything. She was first founded by R&B singer Akon, who helped her release her current three albums, a numerous number one hits. Gaga is most well known for the huge change she brought to the music industry- to her, it was not just a song, but an act. Gaga does not go anywhere without a costume, a prop, and a story. Her shows remind audience members of a circus. On top of altering the music industry, Gaga is a philanthropist who actively pushes for gay rights, and end to HIV/AID's, and owns an organization to stop bullying.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Songs I Love
Rosie the Riveter (1942)
Written by Redd Evans/John Jacob Loeb
Performed by The Four Vagabonds
While other girls attend
their fav'rite cocktail bar
Sipping Martinis,
munching caviar
There's a girl who's
really putting them to shame
Rosie is her name
All the day long,
whether rain or shine
She's a part of the
assembly line
She's making history,
working for victory
Rosie, brrrrrrrrrrr, the
riveter
Keeps a sharp lookout
for sabotage
Sitting up there on the
fuselage
That little frail can do
more than a male can do
Rosie, brrrrrrrrrrr, the
riveter
Rosie's got a boyfriend,
Charlie
Charlie, he's a Marine
Rosie is protecting
Charlie
Workin' overtime on the
riveting machine
When they gave her a
production 'E'
She was as proud as a
girl could be
There's something true
about, red, white, and blue about
Rosie, brrrrrrrrrrr, the
riveter
Doo-doo-doo-doo
Ev'ryone stops to admire
the scene
Rosie at work on the
P-19
She's never twittery,
nervous or jittery
(FEMALE VOICE: I'm
Rosie, hm-hm-hm-hmm, the riveter)
What if she's smeared
full of oil and grease
Doin' her bit for the
old lend-lease
She keeps the gang
around, they love to hang around
Rosie (Hm-hm-hm-hm,
that's me, the riveter)
Rosie buys a lot of War
Bonds
That girl really has
sense
Wishes she could
purchase more Bonds
Putting all her extra
cash in National Defense
Oh, when they gave her a
production 'E'
She was as proud as a
girl could be
There's something true
about, red, white, and blue about
Rosie the riveter gal
Independent
Woman
Written
by Beyoncé Knowles
Performed
by Destiny's Child
I buy my own diamonds and I buy my Own rings
only ring your celly when I'm feellin' lonely
when it's all over Please get up and leave
Question: Tell Me how you feel about this
try to Control me boy you get dismissed
pay my Own fun, oh I pay my own bills
always 50/50 in relationships
The shoes on my feet
I've bought it
The clothes I'm wearing
I've bought it
The rock I'm rockin
I've bought it
'Cause I depend on me
If I wanted the watch you're wearin'
I'll buy it
The house I live in
I've bought it
The car I'm driving
I've bought it
I depend on me
(I depend on me)
All the women who are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the honeys who makin' money
Throw your hands up at me
All the mommas who profit dollas
Throw your hands up at me
All the ladies who truly feel me
Throw your hands up at me
Girl I didn't know you could down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that
Girl I didn't know you could down like that
Charlie, how your Angels get down like that
Tell me how you feel about this
who Would I want if I would wanna live
I Worked hard and sacrificed to get what I get
ladies, it ain't easy bein' Independent
Question: how'd like this Knowledge that I brought
braggin' on That cash that cash that he gave you Is yo' front
if you're gonna brag make Sure it's your money that you flaunt
Depend on noone else to give you what You want
Performed by Helen Reddy
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I've gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction of my soul
Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I've gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman
See me standing toe
to toe
As I spread my
lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an
embryo
With a long, long
way to go
Until I make my
brother understand
I am strong
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
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