1. Rosie the Riveter

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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."

6. Government Propaganda posters

8. 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

9. Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter

10. 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!

11. End of the war
Go Home!