Rosie the Riveter in Richmond - Audio Program

"We Can Do It!" poster from WWII.

Public domain

Quick Facts

Location:

Richmond, California

Significance:

National Historical Park

Rosie the Riveter in Richmond - Learn at Home

This audio program is part of the "Learn at Home" series and offers an introduction to the history of WWII and the Richmond, California Home Front. You may access the series on the official NPS App and search for Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park or on our park website.

Park Website Audio Programs: Stream or download directly.

• Rosie the Riveter in Richmond

  
  

  This program is part of an introduction to the history of the park and the WWII Home Front. You can listen to it at home, while driving, before your visit to the park visitor center or as part of the official NPS App driving tour. These files are also available as a free download on our website and can be a great educational tool for your classroom.

  Credit / Author:

  NPS/Luther Bailey/Christine Cholloway

  Date created:

  07/19/2023

  Audio Transcript

  "Rosie the Riveter" was a popular song of the time that encouraged women and men to embrace women joining the workforce. The nickname "Rosie the Riveter" referred to women who worked to support the nation's war efforts. The patriotic images depicting Rosie the Riveter in posters and popular culture became iconic, symbolizing women's empowerment in the workforce.

  As men enlisted in the military during WWII and growing wartime industries sought more workers, many employers began to recruit women and people of color for the first time. Women began to replace men in jobs that were previously reserved for men only.

  American civilians in the wartime boom town of Richmond included the real-life “Rosies” and others who toiled in factories and shipyards.

  Across the country, around 6 million women entered the workforce during this time, making up nearly 1/3 of the country's workers by 1944.