Rosie the Riveter

By Norman Rockwell, published on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943 Became a female icon of WWII

Not to be confused with… Artist J. Howard Miller an artist at Westinghouse, produced this image in 1942 to encourage females to join the workforce

Background War production and drafting of men lead to the hiring of women Six million women entered the workforce for the first time Many were white, middle class women who were encouraged to go to work The poor and minorities had always worked

Government Propaganda Between 1942 and 1944 there was a government led effort to recruit women They produced hundreds of posters, magazine articles and radio commercials that appealed to women’s patriotism “Women, you could hasten victory by working and save your man."

Government Propaganda posters

Women at Work Employed in war time production factories as welders & riveters Only earned 60 percent as much as men doing the same jobs Minorities faced prejudice Companies refused to hire them, gave them menial jobs and paid less than white counterparts Roosevelt issued an executive order banning racial segregation & discrimination in wartime industries

Rosie the Riveter

End of the War As men returned from the war, women were forced out of the workplace The media portrayed women’s war work as a temporary sacrifice motivated by patriotism Vast numbers of women wanted to continue working, they felt dismissed and used by the government However the recognition that women could work and run a home was significant!

End of the war Go Home!