Second Annual Rosie the Riveter Celebration — Lots of Fun
While I am feeling the effects of being out in today’s sun for several hours — it was so nice to see so many people attend our Second Annual Rosie the Riveter Celebration at Rosie the Riveter Park.
More than 25 “Rosie’s” and their families attended the celebration and shared with the crowd of over 250, when they worked on the homefront during World War II. Some brought scrapbooks filled with precious memories of a time in our local history that significantly changed the role of women and really helped launch the growth of Long Beach.
We saw several young people dressed as “rosie” and listened to the sounds of the Swing Dolls and Ceci Julian as they crooned the 1940’s songs of that era.
Several student interns from CSULB Women’s Studies Department helped put together the event and a wonderful display of historical memorabilia that was showcased across from the park in a room at Long Beach City College. The memorabilia was brought by Pat McGinnis, Archivist at the Boeing Company in Cypress.
It is so touching to talk with the women who worked in defense plants during World War II — they are so very thankful that we are attempting to remember their contributions and they hoped we would make some type of museum available.
I announced the launching of the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation which is a non-profit set up to help raise funds for a permanent memorial and education program at the Rosie the Riveter Park.
Again, my staff is super — Josh Butler, Liz Miramontes, Tiffany Andrews and Matthew McHale did a superb job on the event. Several constituents also stopped me to tell me how responsive my office has been regarding their calls and requests for service.
It was a very good day in the 5th District!
