Rosie the Riveter Turns 100, Seeks Monument

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tomorrow is National Rosie the Riveter Day, and it just so happens to be Philadelphia-native Mae Krier's 100th birthday. Krier, an original Rosie the Riveter who worked as a riveter building B-17 and B-29 bombers at age 17 during World War II, is now asking for something bigger than a birthday gift - she wants to help honor millions of women who powered the U.S. through the war effort.

Why it matters

Rosie the Riveter has become an iconic symbol of women's empowerment and the critical role they played in the WWII industrial effort, but there is currently no national monument recognizing the millions of 'Rosies' who worked in factories and shipyards across the country. Krier's 100th birthday and call for a memorial provides an opportunity to celebrate these unsung heroes.

The details

Krier, a Philadelphia native, worked as a riveter at Boeing during WWII, helping to build B-17 and B-29 bombers that were crucial to the Allied war effort. Now, on the eve of her 100th birthday and National Rosie the Riveter Day, Krier is advocating for the creation of a national monument in Washington, D.C. to honor the millions of women like herself who powered the U.S. industrial machine during the war.

• Tomorrow is National Rosie the Riveter Day.
• Mae Krier is turning 100 years old.

What’s next

Supporters are raising private funds for a Washington, D.C., monument recognizing the 'Rosies.' The project was first imagined by a fifth grader inspired by Mae Krier's story.