INTRO: When the United States entered the war following the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, the country was prompted to make earthshaking
changes- and make them fast. Almost overnight auto factories were
converted into aircraft plants, shipyards were expanded, and new
factories were built. Initially the urban unemployed served as
a sufficient supply for the expanded war economy. But, as the
men went off to war, so began the entry of women into regions
of the work force that was traditionally only restricted to men.
Eventually, half of the women defense workers were drawn from
the ranks of women who were already in the workforce yet, even
their numbers did not suffice as more and more men were being
taken by the draft to defend their country. The unthinkable was
about to become a reality- housewives and young daughters were
to heed the national calling to drop their aprons and pick up
their toolboxes because "Rosie
the Riveter" was born!
Mobilization Propaganda: The "Rosie the Riveter"
icon served a very important role in mobilizing women into the
work force during World War II. The fact was that the ideal American
woman in the prewar image was not at all prepared to participate
in the war effort or serve as an icon for women entering traditionally
"manly" jobs. Let's face it, the ideal American woman
post World War I was a housewife devoted first and only to the
home and family, unconcerned with world affairs. Clearly, the
image would have to change if the government expected to launch
recruitment campaigns. Rationally, it would be safe to say that
"Rosie the Riveter" was born out of necessity- a necessity
for mobilization propaganda. Themes of patriotism and glamour
were used to appeal to these women who were to take the place
of their men who were defending democracy. Taking a war job was
not a choice, it was a patriotic duty!
The "Rosie" image served as an appropriate ideal for mobilization propaganda. She was different from the American housewife image because she had to be. Her arms were strong and muscular, she was not plain but, glamorous and beautiful, and she produced things that were bigger and better than any old housewife could think of. She stood for change in the American woman and she symbolized the belief that gender had nothing to do with work and production. Because the prewar image had ignored working women, and because official and unofficial propaganda concentrated on women in industry rather than in any other sectors, the war itself actually transformed the image of the American woman. "Rosie" was merely an icon of this needed metamorphosis yet; it was the real women who welded, riveted, and soldered that made the change a reality. .
Reviewing the World War II propaganda, especially "Rosie the Riveter" icon, is so important because it shows how successful it really was in its mobilization efforts. There were million of different depicted Rosie's all in similar light yet simultaneously different. "Rosie" was probably the most widely used propaganda image because she symbolized so much. She could be found on cigarette advertisements, billboards, and wartime products. The importance of her role in mobilization carries on today as she still stands as a symbol for those women who worked during World War II.
1. Women in the Military
2. Nurses
3. Women and agricultural work
4. Women Pilots
5.Defense Industry workers: Welders, Riveters, and machinists
1. T-shirts
2. Projects and Memorials
Kaiser Shipyards memorial in Richmond, CA.
American Heritage Museum's dedication to Women
Gluck, S. Rosie the Riveter Revisited,1987.
Gruhzit-Hoyt, O. They Also Served,1995.
Litloff and Smith. American Women in a World at War, 1996.
Rupp, Leila. Mobilizing Women For War, 1978.
Stevens, Michael E. Women Remeber the War,1993.