Medal honors millions of women who joined the war effort by working on assembly lines, addressing troops’ medical needs, or tending to ships and farms
Casey led effort to pass Congressional Gold Medal Bill in 2020
The percentage of women in the workforce jumped from 27 percent to nearly 37 percent between 1940 and 1945.
By the end of the war, nearly one out of every four married women worked outside the home
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) celebrated the invaluable work of millions of hardworking women, known as “Rosie the Riveters”, during the unveiling of the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal. The ceremony honored the millions of women who answered the Nation’s call to action during WWII, whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops’ medical needs, or tended to ships and farms. In attendance was Pennsylvania’s own Rosie the Riveter, Mae Krier, who, at just 17 years old, worked tirelessly at the Boeing Aircraft facility in Seattle, Washington, where she helped build B-17 and B-29 bombers. Following the war, Mae moved to Pennsylvania where she has continued fight for recognition of her fellow Rosie’s contributions to the war effort.
“We all know the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter, but for too long, the remarkable women she represents did not get the recognition they deserve. World War II would not have been won if it weren’t for the Rosies at home and their ‘We Can Do It’ spirit,” said Senator Casey. “Their commitment to defending our Nation ensured this day would come and we are forever indebted to them. It is a privilege to honor the invaluable work of these women, especially Pennsylvania’s own Rosie, Mae Krier.”
Senator Casey has long fought for greater recognition for the millions of women who worked to support the Nation’s war effort during WWII. In February 2018, Senator Casey introduced a resolution to designate March 21st “National Rosie the Riveter Day,” paying tribute to the underrecognized effort of American women to win the war. In November 2020, Senator Casey successfully passed The Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to our Nation’s “Rosie the Riveters” who answered the call to action and learned new skills critical to the war effort, including building vehicles, weaponry, and ammunition.
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