Colorado's 'Rosie the Riveter' Entertains at Valentine's Day Tea

Gail Beaton portrays Gail Murphy, a former bullet case worker at the Denver Ordnance Plant during WWII, at the annual event.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Sterling Public Library hosted its annual Valentine's Day Tea, where guests were entertained by Colorado's own 'Rosie the Riveter,' Gail Murphy, portrayed by Gail Beaton. Murphy shared stories of her time working at the Denver Ordnance Plant during World War II, where she and thousands of other women manufactured millions of bullets to support the war effort.

Why it matters

The event highlights the important contributions women made to the U.S. war effort during WWII, working in defense plants, factories, and other industries traditionally dominated by men. It also showcases how the 'Rosie the Riveter' icon has endured as a symbol of female empowerment.

The details

Dressed in her work attire, complete with a lunchbox, Gail Beaton as Gail Murphy detailed the daily operations at the Denver Ordnance Plant, where she and nearly 20,000 other workers, half of them women, manufactured four types of 30 caliber bullets. At the height of production, the plant was making 6 million bullets per day. Murphy shared stories of the camaraderie and practical jokes among the workers, as well as the dangers of the job, recounting a munitions plant explosion in another state that killed 15 and injured dozens.

  • In 1944, Gail Murphy worked as a bullet case worker at the Denver Ordnance Plant while her brother was away fighting in WWII.
  • The annual Valentine's Day Tea event took place on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Gail Murphy

A former bullet case worker at the Denver Ordnance Plant during World War II, portrayed by Gail Beaton at the Valentine's Day Tea event.

Gail Beaton

The actress who portrayed Gail Murphy, Colorado's 'Rosie the Riveter,' at the Sterling Public Library's Valentine's Day Tea.

Sterling Public Library

The library that hosted the annual Valentine's Day Tea event where Gail Beaton as Gail Murphy entertained guests.

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What they’re saying

“Women served in the U.S. Navy Women's Reserve known as WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve known as SPARs (Semper Paratus–Always Ready), the Women's Army Corps (WAC) and the Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). They were also part of the U.S. Marines and served as nurses, clerical workers, mechanics and radio operators.”

— Gail Murphy (journal-advocate.com)

“At the end of the war most of the women were fired, though a few were kept on as secretaries and such. Some were pleased to be done with the work but others 'went kicking and screaming' because they loved their jobs so much.”

— Gail Murphy (journal-advocate.com)

What’s next

The Sterling Public Library plans to continue hosting its annual Valentine's Day Tea event, featuring historical reenactments and celebrations of women's contributions to the war effort.

The takeaway

The story of Gail Murphy and other 'Rosie the Riveters' serves as an inspiring reminder of the vital role women played in supporting the U.S. during World War II, challenging traditional gender norms and paving the way for greater female empowerment in the decades that followed.