Real-life ‘Rosie the Riveters’ finally get White House visit
Apr 6, 2014, 10:43 PM | Updated: 10:44 pm
Perhaps you have seen — or remember — the posters encouraging American patriotism during majors wars — such as those featuring Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter.
The latter represented American women who worked in factories in World War II. You might remember the poster for its bright yellow background and the caricature for her red bandana and flexed bicep. “We Can Do It” was her slogan.
Some real-life “Rosies” were invited to Washington, D.C., last week. The Huffington post says 91-year-old Phyllis Gould and five Rosies from the San Francisco area got to tour the White House and meet the president and vice president.
Gould worked as a shipyard welder during World War II.
The women got hugs from Joe Biden and one of them got a quick kiss on the lips from Barack Obama, who surprised them all with his appearance.
Gould said she had written letters to every president since Bill Clinton requesting a meeting at the White House in recognition of the Rosie’s contributions to the World War II effort; Biden was the first politician to respond.