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.