World War II Riveters Reunite in Dearborn

Ask any American history professor, victory in World War II would not have been possible without the dedication of women on the home front who answered the call of duty at thousands of factories that supplied armaments to fighting forces overseas.

These women, known as "Rosie the Riveters," worked on planes, tanks, ships, cars and radios for the U.S. government from 1942-1945.

This weekend 15 Rosies from across the country, together with their daughters (Rosebuds) and sons (Rivets) descended on Dearborn for the 15th annual American Rosie the Riveter Association national convention/reunion at the Dearborn Inn.

The association's main purpose is to recognize and preserve the history of working women during World War II.

"What better way to spend our 15th anniversary than to come to Michigan, the 'arsenal of democracy,'" ARRA president Donnaleen Lanktree said. "Unlike some states that only manufactured one type of armament, everything was made in Michigan."

The Rosies agenda included a visit to the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti on Saturday, and the unveiling of a clay model of a statue of 'Rosie the Riveter,' which will be incorporated into The Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak.

Arkie Huffman of Arizona started working as a telephone operator for 40 cents an hour in her small hometown of Pratt, Kansas, but when she went to Wichita to visit her brother at Christmas and met a sailor on leave, she decided to stay. She got a job at Boeing working on B-29 bombers. Because she was so tiny, she could crawl into the fuselage and buck rivets.

"I worked on the final assembly of the B-29. If they would fine a rivet that wasn't right, we'd have to replace it. Crawling into the fuselage was kind of scary, but it didn't bother me," she said. "It was a job, and I was proud to do it."

Frances Ellis started out as a bucker in Seattle, Wash. at the age of 18 for Boeing Aircraft but when her partner, a riveter, got pregnant, she was taught how to rivet. She worked on the bulkhead of P-38 fighter planes.

"We had a lot of fun, and everyone worked hard," she said.

Though she doesn't remember the Boeing factory, she said she distinctly remembers the building packed with women working on different projects for the company.

Wilma Foster, 88, of Laurel, MD., was 17 years old when she went to work for Fairchild Aviation from 1942-1945 making 96 cents an hour as a riveter for the company's PT-19 aircraft. The PT-19 served primarily as a trainer plane for the U.S. Air Force.

"When I got out of high school, I didn't have plans to go to college. My brother knew about the Fairchild employment opportunities and told me that I should apply," Foster explained. "In my mind it was a necessary job. The men I knew had been called up in the draft, including my two brothers, so I this job as my duty."

Most Rosies felt the same way throughout much of the war.

Lorraine Miller of Laurel, MD. went to work as a stenographer for the U.S. Department of Justice two weeks after graduating high school. Her job required answering miscellaneous correspondance to President Franklin Roosevelt sent directly to her from the White House.

"The Justice Department was crying for clerical help during the war. I took the test and I was immediately called to come work," she recalled.

Six evenings a week Miller also volunteered at the local USO office in Fort Mead, where she eventually met her future husband.

"He was part of the invasion of Normandy and survived," Miller said.

After the war, the couple moved to Gadsden, AL. with their family.

Miller said she's happy to attend the annual Rosie convention, and enjoys meeting and sharing stories with fellow riveters.

"We have a lot of fun swapping stories and reminiscing about the war," she said. "(The riveters) are a part of U.S. history."

For more information on the Rosie the Riveter Association, or to read more Rosie stories, visit www.rosietheriveter.net.