Content Knowledge Project:

Rosie The Riveter

Courtney Krayniewski

ELED 3223- SOCIAL STUDIES David Fleischmann

2 April 2014

Rosie The Riveter:

Prior to the United States joining World War II in 1941, the thought of women assuming a role in the work place was unheard of and not taken seriously in the slightest bit. Many factories began opening new jobs and had no thought of a labor shortage; therefore, the thought of women entering the work force was an illogical notion (Sorensen, 2004). The role of women pre-World War II was often overlooked. Unlike commonly heard, women found themselves working tough jobs, just not out in the workforce. Women were often seen in the household setting where they worked laboriously for their family and home. Most people were against women working in the workforce because they were seen as taking jobs from the common white males (Sorensen, 2004).

When the United States joined World War II, the role of women in the workplace began to transform significantly. Women began to be seen as a necessary part of society. As men went off to fight in the war, a large number of jobs were left void. World War II brought new skills, sacrifices, and jobs to womens lives. As more men went to fight in war and few returning, women began receiving new opportunities (American Women In World War II, 2007). Women were now needed to fill the conventional mans occupations and responsibilities during the war and were being used to encourage other women to join them via numerous advertisements (American Women In World War II, 2007).

Americas secret weapons began to stake their claim serving significant roles in the Military forces along with indispensable factory employees. In order for the American Government to overcome these challenges, they decided to launch a propaganda campaign to sell the importance of war fair and to lure women into working (Sorensen, 2004). Of this propaganda campaign came the notorious fictional character, Rosie the Riveter. Rosie was to be seen as loyal, efficient, patriotic, and pretty (Sorensen, 2004). As an ideal worker needed during this time, Rosie became a sensation. First published by Norman Rockwell, Rosies cover in Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1942 became an instant media success. From there, her popularity continued to grow. Rosie could be seen in several other images along with other women representations (Sorensen, 2004). From there on out, Rosie images were established and continue to be used in the propaganda effort for the war. A few months after Norman Rockwells image, the most famous Rosie appeared in the government-commissioned poster We Can Do It (Sorensen, 2004).

Womens response to this propaganda effort was flawless and would help bring about cultural and societal change from there on out (Morrison, 2012). Although not all women responded to these propaganda efforts in the same ways, women of lower class and majority were the most common ones to be seen in these new positions opened by the government. These women left low-paying jobs and switched to these higher paying factory jobs that were once considered the white mans role. These economic incentives were the greatest encouragement in the womens workforce (Sorensen, 2004). While patriotism was part of the womens

influence, the ability to learn these new skills came at a higher enticement. Joan, an 18-year-old factory worker for the Burry Biscuit Company in June of 1941 wrote, Well- work today. Joan, the little factory girl. Only I wasnt todayInspector Wehlen, call me. I inspected millions of Army ration cans- for the USA. Defensive work. Caught myself humming the Star Spangled Banner and reflected it was the same as making munitions. (Morrison, 2012) Joans excerpt from her diary shows the patriotism the women had for their country and the work they did not only in the factories, but also for the men that were fighting for their country. Rosies influence on the women of World War II helped the allies of the United States ensure that they would have the war materials necessary for defeat. Encouraging approximately 350,000 American women to serve in uniform, General Eisenhower felt women played such a substantial role in the war that without the contribution of the American women this USA success would have not been possible (Women In WWII At A Glance).

The participation of women in the United States during World War II was a major turning point when it comes to women and their role in the military. Prior to World War II, the idea of women enlisting in the military and comprising jobs in the workforce was a wide spread resistance (WWII: Women and the War). As mentioned earlier, men saw women working as a threat to their jobs and revenue. Once the United States joined the war, men began getting drafted and the pool of male workers quickly began diminishing (Staff, 2010). Toward the end of the war,

the men began returning back to their homes and then too their jobs. As men quickly started retreating back to their factory jobs in the workforce, women began yet again facing the threat of losing their higher-paying jobs. Although, these women wanted to keep their jobs and high pay, some were forced to return to professions from before the war while others were forced to back into the lower-paying female positions (Women In WWII At A Glance). The biggest problem when women began entering the workforce was changing the male minds and attitudes towards these women. When the men returned from war the cultural division of labor by sex had reasserted itself (Sorensen, 2004). In turn, most of these hardworking women were laid off and sent back to their homes so the men could reassert their job titles and positions.

In conclusion, the propaganda effort of 1941 was, at the time, a major success for the American women. With the help of Rosie the Riveter, many American females found themselves working higher-paying male jobs that allowed the women to be seen as capable and worthy. Rosie made an impact on the lives of women even today. The con of this campaign was that it was short-lived. Unfortunately, the women were forced back into low-paying jobs and the men assumed their roles once more. This envisionment of women in the workforce blossomed some years later, after World War II. The efforts of Rosie was to change both male and female attitudes towards women in the workforce and in due time women would receive the credit and confidence that they began to see during World War II. The effects of not only Rosie the Riveter, but also all other female characters

presented during this time of propaganda have forever changed how society views the roles of women and their ability to perform in the workforce.

Reflection: To me, Rosie the Riveter was more than just a propaganda campaign. Rosie opened a million different doors for women all around the world. Although this campaign was centralized in the United States, Rosie changed the mindsets of many people. Through this time, many people began to see that men are not the only ones that can work and do sufficient jobs women can too!

While the campaign did not stick around after the men returned from war, I feel things did not go completely back to how they were before. Some women were able to keep their positions while others were forced back into lower-paying jobs or even back home, but not everyone was. This was a substantial step for women during that time. To me, this was just the beginning to the rights that women would receive from these advertisements and job opportunities.

Over time, women have been offered job positions in any field they prove themselves to be successful in. While some jobs may be more prominent for men or women, they are still given the choice to occupy a job of their choice and I find this leading back to the role women were able to fulfill during World War II.

Overall, I find the willpower and successes of the women of World War II a steppingstone in the present and future of women today. Thanks to these women and all of their hard work, the women of today are able to hold any occupation they choose and are able to do so without any discrepancies toward them.

Bibliography
WWII: Women and the War. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2014, from History and Collections: http://www.womensmemorial.org/H&C/History/wwii.html Women In WWII At A Glance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2014, from The National WWII Museum: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/forstudents/ww2-history/at-a-glance/women-in-ww2.html American Women In World War II. (2007). Retrieved from National Women's History Museum: https://www.nwhm.org/onlineexhibits/partners/exhibitentrance.html Morrison, J. (2012, January 16). A Diary of Love, Literature, and Growing Up In Wartime America. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from Home Front Girl: http://homefrontgirldiary.com/women-and-world-war-ii/ Sorensen, A. (2004). Rosie the Riveter: Women Working During World War II. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from nps.gov: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/collection/website/rosie.htm Staff, H. (2010). Rosie The Riveter. Retrieved March 15, 2014, from History.com: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/rosie-the-riveter