Goodman honors WWII women with ‘Rosie’ proclamation

By Jinae West (contact)

Friday, June 19, 2009 | 3:08 p.m.

During World War II, Rosie the Riveter encouraged women to roll up their sleeves and join the war effort, and while times have changed, some still identify with Rosie’s “we can do it” spirit.

It’s that spirit Mayor Oscar Goodman was honoring when he declared today “Rosie the Riveter Day” in Las Vegas in conjunction with the 11th annual reunion of the American Rosie the Riveter Association taking place this week at the Imperial Palace.

The annual meeting is in honor of the women who during World War II worked in factories and took other jobs on the home front previously done by men.

"When Rosie says, 'We Can Do It!' it really should read: 'We Can Still Do It!'" said Frances Carter, 87, founder and national director emeritus of the American Rosie the Riveter Association. She was referring to the poster by J. Howard Miller of a young, brown-haired woman rolling up her sleeves and wearing a red, polka-dotted kerchief with the words “We Can Do It” above her head that was ubiquitous in the 1940s.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Apadaca, who is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, read the mayor’s proclamation at a ceremony this morning at the hotel.

"It is right and proper to recognize and preserve the history and legacy of these working women, including volunteers, during World War II to promote cooperation and fellowship among such members and their descendants,” Apadaca read from the statement.

Carter said she is one of the original “Rosies.” She founded the AARA in 1998 and served for two years as president. She said she worked in Birmingham, Ala., in 1943 building B-29 airplanes while her husband, John, fought in the war.

"I was a sophomore in college, and Roosevelt got on the radio and said, 'We're at war. We don't have a plan. Don't panic. Stay where you are. We want you to sign up for the draft if you're a boy, but we want you to stay where you are until we call you,'" she said.

"So when (John) found out I was building airplanes, he said, 'I'm going to jump out of them,'" Carter said, laughing. "That's my claim to fame: I refuted a paratrooper."

She referred to the group of women as educational, historical and patriotic.

"We are not a women's liberation group, but we opened the door and, not realizing, opened the door for women to do all kinds of work," she said.

Reunion activities planned for the group of about 30 women, who are mostly in their 80s and 90s, include a tour of Nellis Air Force Base and lunch and dinner programs at the casino. The national association has about 3,000 members. The lifetime membership fee is $10, Carter said.

The “Rosies,” many with family members in tow, traveled from as far as Maryland to attend. Others came from Alabama, Arizona and Georgia. Included in the group were daughters and granddaughters, whom group members affectionately refer to as "Rosebuds." Husbands and sons are honorary auxiliary members.

"We call them 'Rivets,'" Carter said. "It's a women's meeting, but we (include them) because they want to be a part of it, too."

According to the association, the women helped to build more than 290,000 airplanes, 100,000 ships and 370,000 pieces of artillery.

Arkie Huffman, 84, worked in a factory in Wichita, Kan., during the war. She said this is the second time she's attended the convention.

"I think (what we did) was very important. The women came through when they were needed and they did everything that men had been doing. It was sort of hard for (the men) to accept that. But it's still a fact," Huffman said. "I think it is important that we be recognized."

Before Apadaca left the ceremony, he said he felt and heard a great sense of pride when members stood up to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" earlier.

"I wanted to make sure I expressed that from my generation to yours of what it feels like," he said, adding he was humbled by the moment.

Vera Green, 85, of Maryland told him it would be nice to be recognized nationally to which Apadaca agreed.

"They do how many things for the veterans," she asked. "We're a part of that."

Carter said she hopes the annual conventions and publicity will encourage others to remember the hard work and sacrifice the Rosies gave for their country.

"We served a good purpose. We were really working in jobs we didn't know anything about and had to keep trying to carry it on just like anything that is truly American," she said, "It's important to remember."