Do you know how critical Rosie the Riveter was to winning World War II? The United States needed to build over 300,000 planes in less than four years, not to mention ships, tanks, guns and more… and historian Sig Unander tells us how Rosie helped do it!
In this presentation video clip, Mr. Unander features historical photos as he tells the story of Rosie within the context of World War II, with ARRA Oregon State Director Dr. Yvonne Fasold providing an introduction. Mr. Unander covers production activities on the west coast, including Boeing in Seattle, as well as other significant plants including the Kaiser shipyards in California and the Willow Run Bomber Plant. Using Portland, OR as an example, he explains the difficulty cities with war production plants experienced in accommodating a huge influx of war workers, including challenges in providing housing and city services. He uncovers how the war not only opened up employment opportunities for women but also planted the seeds for racial integration. Learn about famous WWII Rosie the Riveters Marilyn Monroe (then an unknown young girl named Norma Jeane Baker) and celebrated “debutante Rosie” Rosalind Palmer Walters.
At the end of the presentation, four Rosie the Riveters, Clarice Lafreniere, Romaine Smith, Nita Eggars, and Lousie Unkrich, filmed and interviewed by Mr. Unander at the 2023 Annual American Rosie the Riveter Convention, tell their stories, in their own words. What a treat!
Roberto Gonzalez of TVCTV (Tualatin Valley Community Television) did the filming and editing of the clip. Fabulous teamwork! Enjoy…