Rosie the Riveter

Rosie the Riveter is an iconic figure representing the American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, helping to support the war effort. "Rosie" was derived from a popular song called "Rosie the Riveter." The image of Rosie the Riveter, most commonly associated with the icon, was created by artist J. Howard Miller for the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1942. The image shows a woman with a blue work shirt, a red and white polka-dot banda, and the slogan "We Can Do It!" written above her.

Rosie the Riveter has been referenced in numerous films, TV shows and books. Her image has been used in various contexts to represent female empowerment and the working-class women who helped change history. While many women did indeed work in factories and shipyards during the war, the image of Rosie the Riveter has also been criticized for whitewashing the experiences of women of color and for downplaying the sexism and discrimination that women faced in the workplace.

In 2000, the Rose the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park was established in Richmond, California. The park is home to Rosie the Riveter Memorial, a sculpture that honors the women who worked in the Richmond shipyards during the war.