U.S. History

"Rosie the Riveter Remembers"

During World War II, women working in wartime industries developed many skills and confidence previously unknown to them. Many women had never worked before at all, and found new freedom and independence in their jobs. In the article entitled "Rosie the Riveter Remembers", made up of several interviews, many women tell the stories of their wartime jobs.

Inez Sauer, living in Ohio at the time, had never worked in her life and was used to bridge, clubs, and golf. She got a job as chief clerk in a toolroom. Her family was horrified and thought she couldn't do it. Inez said, "My husband thought it was utterly ridiculous. I had never worked, I didn't know how to handle money as he put it"…"My husband was ten years older and he always made me feel like a child, so he didn't think I would last very long at the job, but he was wrong." Inez requested books so that she could learn more about the job. She told her manager, "if I am going to be part of this organization, I must have some books, something that shows me how I can learn to do what I'm supposed to do. This was an unheard-of request. It went through the channels, and they finally brought me some large, classified material that showed all the tools and machinery needed to build the B-17s." She finally became chief clerk of the toolroom.

Rachel Wray lived in California at the time of the war, and had twenty five dollars to her name, and was engaged to a sailor in the navy. She got a job at Convair and was promoted to bench mechanic work, which was detailed hand riveting. Rachel was very good at her job, and said, "I didn't have the kind of confidence as a kid growing up, because I didn't have that opportunity. Convair was the first time in my life that I had the chance to prove I could do something, and I did it." Her family also discouraged her from that kind of work. "I remember my brother, who was in the Air Corps at the time, and his friends laughed at me one day thinking I couldn't learn this mechanical stuff. I can still see them, but it only made me more determined."

Adele Erenberg lived in Los Angeles, CA and was 26 when the war started. She was working as a cosmetic clerk but wanted to help out after the war started instead of selling lipstick. She said, "I felt that I was capable of doing something more toward the war effort". She went to a few plants and took their tests but they told her she had no mechanical ability. Finally, A.D.E.L hired her and she started working in the burr room, grinding and sanding parts of machines to make them smooth. After training she was moved to work in the machine shop, where she was the only woman. She said, "For me, defense work was the beginning of my emancipation as a woman. For the first time in my life, I found out that I could do something with my hands besides bake a pie." Adele became more confident and independent from her job.

Many women in these wartime industries developed many skills and became more free and independent because of them. Many didn't want to return to their housework after learning they were able to do an important job which helped win the war.